Robert Schumann

8 June 1810 – 29 July 1856

Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was a German composer, pianist, and influential music critic of the Romantic era. Renowned for his piano works, songs, and symphonies, he founded the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik and championed younger composers including Chopin and Brahms; his career was cut short by mental illness.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Robert Schumann.

Life events

Born in Zwickau, Saxony
8 June 1810

Schumann was born in Zwickau, the youngest of five children of a bookseller and publisher.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Began studying law at Leipzig University
1828 – 1830

Schumann enrolled to study law at Leipzig at his mother's insistence, but devoted himself increasingly to music.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Abandoned a pianist's career after a hand injury
c. 1832

A permanent injury to his right hand ended Schumann's hopes of becoming a concert pianist and turned him decisively toward composition.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Co-founded the journal Neue Zeitschrift für Musik
3 April 1834

Schumann co-founded and edited the influential music journal, in which he championed composers such as Chopin, Berlioz, and later Brahms.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Composed over 130 songs in his 'Year of Song'
1840

In 1840 Schumann turned to the Lied, composing song cycles including Dichterliebe and Frauenliebe und -leben.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Married Clara Wieck
12 September 1840

After a protracted legal battle with her father Friedrich Wieck, Schumann married the pianist Clara Wieck in Schönefeld near Leipzig.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Premiere of the Symphony No. 1 ('Spring')
31 March 1841

Schumann's First Symphony was premiered by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra under Felix Mendelssohn.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Appointed municipal music director in Düsseldorf
September 1850 – 1853

Schumann took up his only official conducting post as music director in Düsseldorf, a role he held until 1853.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Attempted suicide and entered the asylum at Endenich
27 February 1854

Suffering a severe mental collapse, Schumann threw himself into the Rhine and was afterwards confined at his own request to a private asylum in Endenich near Bonn.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Died in Endenich, near Bonn
29 July 1856

Schumann died in the asylum at Endenich at age 46, with Clara at his side two days before his death.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓