Google Doodle Celebrates Clara Schumann 193rd birthday

Clara was born on September 13, 1819, was a German musician and composer, considered one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era. Her parents divorced when she was just four years old. She as then raised by her father. At the age of nine, Clara went public and made her debut at a concert in the Leipziger Gewandhaus.

Later, she was acknowledged as a phenomenally talented child prodigy across Europe. She performed a series of recitals in Vienna from December 1837 to April 1838. In 1839, she along with her would-be husband Robert Schumann wrote a petition to the Court of Appeals to marry without the consent of Friedrich Wieck, Clara’s father.

During their marriage, Clara was pregnant ten times and bore eight children: Marie, Elise, Julie, Emil, Ludwig, Ferdinand, Eugenie, and Felix.  Even with such a large family, Clara continued to perform, compose, and teach piano, while at the same time she supported Robert and his career.  Schumann encouraged Clara’s composing and contracted publishers for her, but made it clear that his creative work took priority over hers.

Clara and Robert married on September 12, 1840. At the age of 76, she suffered a heart attack on 26 March 1896, and died on May 20 the same year.

She is credited for changing the format and repertoire of the piano recital and the tastes of the listening public. Also, she was the first pianist to give public performances of some of Brahms’ works, notably the Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel.

Listen Song of Love: The Story of Robert and Clara Schumann (1960)

Clara Schumann Quotes:

“My imagination can picture no fairer happiness than to continue living for art.”

“Treasures are no longer to be got by instrumental art.”

“There is nothing greater than the joy of composing something oneself and then listening to it.”

“I wish to lead a life free from care, and I see that I shall be unhappy if I cannot always work at my art.”

“Every man has his faults; I have and so have you – you will allow me to say so!”