op. 14 Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor
op. 15 Kinderszenen
op. 16 Kreisleriana
op. 17 Fantasy in C major
op. 18 Arabesque in C major
op. 19 Flower Piece in D flat major
Robert Schumann was a German composer, pianist, and influential music critic of the Romantic era, born on June 8, 1810, in Zwickau, Saxony, Germany. He passed away on July 29, 1856, in Endenich, near Bonn, Prussia, Germany. Schumann is renowned particularly for his piano music, songs (lieder), and orchestral music. Many of his best-known piano pieces were written for his wife, the pianist Clara Schumann.
Schumann’s early years were marked by his father’s influence, who was a bookseller and publisher. He began his musical education at the age of six, studying the piano. In 1827, he came under the musical influence of Austrian composer Franz Schubert and the literary influence of German poet Jean Paul Richter. In the same year, he composed some songs.
Despite initially studying law at the University of Leipzig, Schumann’s passion for music prevailed. He studied the piano seriously with Friedrich Wieck, Clara’s father, and eventually married Clara despite Wieck’s opposition2. Schumann’s early works were mainly piano pieces, including the large-scale “Carnaval” (1834–1835). He co-founded the “Neue Zeitschrift für Musik” (New Musical Journal) in 1834 and edited it for ten years, contributing significantly to music criticism.
His compositions include the “Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54,” “Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major,” and song cycles such as “Frauenliebe und -leben” and “Dichterliebe.” Schumann turned to orchestral music in 1841, chamber music and choral works in the following years, and his wife Clara premiered many of his works, including the Piano Concerto.
Schumann’s life was troubled by mental health issues, which led to his attempted suicide in 1854 and subsequent confinement in a sanatorium, where he died two years later. His legacy remains significant, as he was one of the most important Romantic composers and a highly regarded music critic, whose deeply personal music reflects the nature of Romanticism.
“[…] The comparison with the autograph and the Urtext edition [First Schumann Complete Edition], the results of the Schumann research, the modern principles of notation – all …of this would have to be taken into account in the new engraving and could lead to a significant improvement in the edition without compromising the spirit of editing by Clara Schumann.”
The present edition thus conveys the reading of one of the most important pianists of the twentieth century, which we make fully accessible in time for the 200th birthday of Clara Schumann.
R.R.P £33
Our Price £28
This Publication will not be fulfilled by The Music Realm. The Publisher has requested that all purchases of this product be referred to them and they will create a personalised copy of this product and email it to you.