The Robert Schumann House in Zwickau
Women. Powerful and talented, who have left a significant impact in the world of music is one of the topics that has been increasingly promoted in recent years. And why not, actually. Maybe two centuries ago, it might not have been so fashionable to promote it, even though the nineteenth century was already surrounded by powerful women who fought for their rights and went against the current. Let's just look at George Sand, who not only stood out as Chopin's lover but also had her strong, own attitude. Did you know that she was wearing men's clothing without a permit? The crazy fact is that women who wanted to dress not like the other same-gender individuals had to obtain a permit to do that. Maybe Felix Mendelssohn's sister was not so lucky at her age, so she used to publish her compositions under her brother's name. Though, she refused to be just a housewife and continued to work around her compositions and music activities. We can take a closer look also to Clara Schumann, oops, Clara Wieck, born in 1819.
Clara, that girl, the woman, who stood out since she was a child, will visit the blockchain today. She was a pure musician, with a pure heart but a heart that knew how to love not only music. She was aware of her role in preserving traditional values and did not rush for fame and virtuosity, and thus gain popularity. Her first professor was her father, Friedrich Wieck, who wanted to build a career for his daughter. Clara's mother was also dedicated to music, a famous singer, and also a pianist, but she dedicated her interest to another man too, not Clara's father. She left the family, and the girl Clara was five years old at the time. A sure trauma for such a small child, especially if you continue with a father who wants you to create something like Leopold Mozart wanted from Wolfgang.
Clara had some difficulties in her childhood, apart from being left by her mother. She didnt talk until the age of 4. Although the father did not force the girl to play for many hours a day, he was strict and arrogant. If she didn't achieve everything he set out in detail and perfectionism, he was furious. Sensitive Clara lived in fear and constant dissatisfaction, and one entry in her diary reads: My father expected me to change. He told me today that I was vain, careless, unmethodical, and stubborn. He tore up the piano scores in front of my eyes and as of today he no longer wants to teach me, so I can only play scales and do boring studies.
Photograph of a painting representing Clara, by Carl Ferdinand Sohn, from 1853
When Clara was 11, two important things happened in her life. She had her first piano recital and she met someone. Robert, who started to take lessons from her father, and moved into their house (rented a room there). The two young have their phases that lasted for several years, but the love was constantly deepened by their common musical interests. Well, you can imagine, that the strict father was not very happy with that and was trying to distance them. However, it was in vain. Clara Wieck and Robert Schumann married in 1840, after many struggles to get the permit to do it.
At this moment, we can think Clara solved her problems and could become a fully free and respected musician, pianist, and composer, with her husband. But turned out that Robert was suffering from deep depressions, and she was working around the house, children, she listened to her husband's process of composing, and was the main support for them. However, she didn't want to cut herself back and continued to play and compose. A wife becomes better than the husband, who would accept that in the 19th century? Poor Robert, was more mentally sick and he was receiving friendly support from Johaness Brahms in their house. After some time, it seems that Johannes was not there just to support his friend Robert. Clara again shined, in the eyes of Brahms.
Nocturne Op.6 No.2, composed by Clara Schumann and performed by Tiffany Poon:
Robert was sick. After his suicide attempt, Johannes was visiting his friend in the hospital and lived in Schumann's family house. Maybe shocking, but it was in good intentions, not to leave family friends alone in trouble. But for sure, he was intensely in love with Clara and that led to the creation of some of the most intimate and emotional music composed during the century. He was frustrated and the constant moral dilemmas and frustration led to Brahm's creative expression.
Clara composed with all her passion too and drama is not missing from her compositions, like the one you can listen to in the next video. After Robert died, she didn't compose anymore. She dedicated the rest of her life to a pianistic career and gained international recognition. The music she played stood out for the depth and variety, as the same as her interpretations. Not a lot of pianists from her era played Beethoven's works. She did! Many was seeking virtuosity and fame. She didn't. Performing until 1891 ( she was 72 then) that is a great age already, she showed, that women can make more impact by being faithful to themselves and their beliefs, their set values. Many have proven this in history. I am so amazed by them, those with the great names we know nowadays, but with all the others too who just went unknown by the time, as maybe the circumstances didn't let them develop.
Scherzo No.2 in C Minor, composed by Clara Schumann and performed by the great Isata Kanneh-Mason:
My favorite part of the posts :) Conclusion with some questions!