Clara Schumann

Clara Schumann(-Wieck) (1819 Leipzig – 1896 Frankfurt am Main) was a widely travelled pianist – appointed as Imperial and Royal Chamber Virtuoso – composer, piano teacher, and editor; in this unique capacity, she embodied the most significant German female musi­cian of the 19th century. Having begun her pianistic career as a child prodigy, Clara Josephine Wieck con­tinued her path after marrying Robert Schumann in 1840. She subsequently appeared as a performer and composer under the name Clara Schumann, which is used in the following text.

Once in his later years, Johannes Brahms wrote to the love of his life that all his works should be signed, “really by Clara Schumann.” It was a moving testament from an emotionally guarded old bachelor to the woman who had long been his muse. It was also a recognition that the composer whose work, then as now, has been regarded as the epitome of musical abstraction acknowledged that his music was grounded in his life and feelings. And Clara Schumann was always connected to Brahms’s deepest feelings. This recording is a testament to their lifelong connection.

Lorsque je découvre les lieder composés par Clara Schumann en 2015, je tombe littéralement sous le charme de ces pages musicales.

Clara Schumann was one of the famous piano virtuosos of the 19th century. She was respected by contemporary composers such as Liszt and Thalberg, and was a self-made figure who was appointed as a university professor at a time when women's social participation was difficult.

Clara Schumann was one of the famous piano virtuosos of the 19th century. She was respected by contemporary composers such as Liszt and Thalberg, and was a self-made figure who was appointed as a university professor at a time when women's social participation was difficult.