Clara Wieck Schumann (1819-1896); DEU

Clara Schumann (1819–1896), born Clara Wieck in Leipzig, was a German pianist, composer, and teacher and one of the most distinguished concert artists of the nineteenth century. Trained intensively by her father, Friedrich Wieck, she made her public debut as a child and developed an international career while still young. In 1840 she married Robert Schumann after a prolonged legal struggle with her father. Following Robert’s institutionalization and death, she continued performing for decades while supporting their large family and later taught at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt.

Clara Schumann composed primarily during her youth and early adulthood, producing piano music, songs, chamber works, and a piano concerto. Her major compositions include the Piano Concerto in A minor, Piano Trio in G minor, Three Romances for Violin and Piano, and numerous character pieces and songs. As a performer she championed Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, and Robert Schumann, helping establish the modern recital tradition and exerting lasting influence on nineteenth-century piano performance.

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Read biography at allmusic.com.