biography
| name: |
Schumann, Robert (Alexander)
|
pronunciation:
[shooman]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1810–56)
|
| biography:
| Composer, born in Zwickau, E Germany. He studied law at Leipzig, then turned to music, and particularly the piano, but after injuring a finger in 1832, he gave up performing for writing and composing. He produced a large number of compositions, until 1840 almost all for the piano. He then married Clara, the daughter of his piano teacher, Friedrich Wieck, after much opposition from her father, and under her influence began to write orchestral works, notably his A minor piano concerto (1845) and four symphonies. He also wrote chamber music and a large number of songs (Lieder), in addition to his continuing piano compositions. In 1843 he was appointed professor at the new Leipzig Conservatory, but mental illness caused him soon to leave, and he moved to Dresden, then Düsseldorf (1850), where he attempted suicide (1854). He died in a sanatorium in Endenich (now part of Bonn). |
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