Robert Schumann

Robert Schumann (8 June 1810 – 29 July 1856) was a German composer and influential music critic, regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Initially studying law, Schumann abandoned this path to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist, encouraged by his teacher Friedrich Wieck, who believed he could become the finest pianist in Europe. However, a hand injury ended this ambition, prompting Schumann to shift his focus to composition.

Until 1840, Schumann's published works were exclusively for piano. He later expanded his output to include works for piano and orchestra, many Lieder (songs for voice and piano), four symphonies, an opera, and various other orchestral, choral, and chamber compositions. Among his most famous works are Carnaval, Symphonic Studies, Kinderszenen, Kreisleriana, and the Fantasie in C. His music criticism appeared primarily in the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik (New Journal for Music), a Leipzig-based publication he co-founded.

In 1840, Schumann married Clara Wieck, the daughter of his former piano teacher, against the wishes of her father. The marriage followed a protracted and bitter legal battle, which ultimately favored Clara and Robert. Clara was also a composer and had a successful concert career as a pianist, and her earnings prior to marriage contributed significantly to her father's fortune.

Schumann's mental health began to decline in 1833 with a severe episode of melancholic depression, which recurred intermittently and was accompanied by periods of exaltation and later by delusional ideas involving poisoning or threats from metallic objects. In 1854, after a suicide attempt, Schumann voluntarily entered an asylum in Endenich near Bonn. Diagnosed with "psychotic melancholia," he remained there until his death in 1856, having never fully recovered from his illness.