Robert Schumann

(1810-1856)
•He was born on June 8,1810
in Zwickau, Kingdom.
•Robert is a German and he is
pianist and composer.
•Schumann’s wife named Clara
Schumann and they have eight
• Robert Schumann was one of the most famous
composer of the romantic era in the nineteenth
century.
• His father wanted him to study law and so in 1821,
Schumann went to Leipzig to study law. However,
he spent most of his time with musical and literary
circles through the effort of Friedrich Wieck who
took some time to teach Schumann how to play the
piano.
• In 1830, Schumann went to live with Wieck in
Leipzig. He soon developed a problem with
his hand, effectively ending his dreams as a
pianist.
• Schumann’s published compositions were written
exclusively for the piano until 1840; he later
composed works for the piano and orchestra; many
Lieder, four symphonies, one opera, and other
orchestral, choral and chamber works.

• Works such as Carnaval, Symphonic Studies,

Kinderszenen, kreisleriana and the Fantasie in
C are among his most famous.
• It was in 1834 when Schumann founded the
music journal, “Jornal neue Zeitschrift fur
musik”, wherein he edited and wrote music
criticism for his publication.
• He wrote numerous write-ups and one of which
was the performance of Frederic Chopin in Paris,
France. In his journal, Schumann often wrote
under two pseudonyms-Eusebius (his sensitive,
lyrical side) and florestan (his fiery, stormy side).
 Piano Works
*Abegg Variations, Opus 1 (1830)
*Davidsbundlertanze (Dance of the band of
David), Opus 6 (1837)
*Carnaval, opus 9 (1835)- a portrait of a masked
ball attended by his allies and his beloved Clara.
*Phantasiestucke, Opus 12 (1837)- a series
of mood pieces.
*Kreisleriana, Opus 16 (1838)- a fantasy on
the mad Kapellmeister.
*Kinderszenen, Opus 15 (1838)- a poetic
series of evocations of a child’s world.
 Art Songs:

*Frauenliebe und Leben (A woman’s love

and life)
*Dichterliebe ( A poet’s love)
Orchestral music:
*Piano Concerto in A Minor, Opus 54
*Overture, Scherzo
*Finale, Opus 52 (a mini symphony)
*Konzertstuck in F Major for Four Horns and
Orchestra, Opus 86