Clara Schumann

13 September 1819 – 20 May 1896

Clara Schumann (1819-1896) was a German pianist and composer, one of the most distinguished concert pianists of the Romantic era with a performing career spanning over 60 years. The wife of composer Robert Schumann and a close friend of Johannes Brahms, she also composed piano works, songs, and a piano concerto, and taught at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Clara Schumann.

Life events

Born Clara Wieck in Leipzig
13 September 1819

Clara was born in Leipzig, the daughter of piano teacher Friedrich Wieck, who trained her rigorously from early childhood.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Made her formal debut at the Leipzig Gewandhaus at age nine
20 October 1828

Clara Wieck performed at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, launching one of the century's great concert careers.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Premiered her Piano Concerto in A minor with the Gewandhaus Orchestra
9 November 1835

At sixteen, Clara performed the premiere of her own Piano Concerto, Op. 7, with Felix Mendelssohn conducting.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Acclaimed concert tour of Vienna
December 1837 – April 1838

Clara's recitals in Vienna brought her extraordinary acclaim, and she was named Royal and Imperial Chamber Virtuosa by the Austrian court.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Robert Schumann
12 September 1840

Clara married Robert Schumann after the couple won a lawsuit against her father, who had opposed the marriage; they had eight children.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Began lifelong friendship with Johannes Brahms
30 September 1853

The twenty-year-old Brahms arrived at the Schumanns' home in Düsseldorf, beginning a deep artistic friendship with Clara that lasted until her death.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Widowed after Robert Schumann's death
29 July 1856

Following Robert's death in the Endenich asylum, Clara supported her large family primarily through an intensive international concert career.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed principal piano teacher at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt
1878 – 1892

Clara moved to Frankfurt to become the leading piano teacher at the Hoch Conservatory, where she taught until 1892.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Gave her final public concert in Frankfurt
12 March 1891

Clara Schumann ended her performing career of more than six decades with a last public appearance in Frankfurt.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Frankfurt
20 May 1896

Clara Schumann died of a stroke in Frankfurt at age 76 and was buried beside Robert in Bonn.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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