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Abstract
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 1998 Dec 10;118(30):4700-4.

["The piano trio" Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann and Johannes

Brahms].
[Article in Norwegian]
Albretsen CS1.

Author information
Abstract
The relationship between the pianist and composer Clara Schumann and the composers Robert
Schumann and Johannes Brahms has for a century been an interesting topic. Clara and Robert
Schumann both suffered separation from their mothers during early childhood. Johannes Brahms
was intensely spoiled by his mother. Robert Schumann needed a structuring wife in his adult life,
while Johannes Brahms turned to be afraid of intrusive women. Robert Schumann's psychotic
breakdown in February 1854 had a complex background: a hypomanic state, some marital
problems, a stressful journey with musical appearances, and possibly a difficulty in differentiating
between himself and his new friend Johannes Brahms. As for Clara Schumann, who lost her
mother before the age of five, musical activities became her way of overcoming the difficulties of
life. She was able to support Robert in his lunatic asylum and their seven children growing up in
three separate towns. The chronic diseases of the sons: schizophrenia, polyarthritis and
tuberculosis made a deep impression on her and her fingers and hands were periodically
immobilised with severe pain. For four decades Johannes was her able "son" and Clara was his
"mother", at a safe distance.
PMID: 9914757 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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