All About Robert Schumann: Parents, Nationality, Age, Measurements



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Robert Schumann was born in Zwickau, Germany on June 8, 1810. He was the fifth and youngest child of August Schumann and his wife, Johanna Christiane. His father, a bookseller and publisher, introduced him to literature and music. His mother died when he was just six years old. His father remarried in 1816 and had three more children with his second wife.

Schumann began taking piano lessons at the age of seven. He also took lessons in violin and cello. He showed talent for music early on and composed his first piece, “The Happy Farmer,” when he was just eleven years old.

He attended the Zwickau Gymnasium from 1822-1829. During his time there, he became friends with a group of like-minded students who called themselves “The League of David.” They shared a love of literature and music and would often meet to discuss their latest findings.

In 1828, Schumann left the Gymnasium to study law at the University of Leipzig. However, his true passion was music and he soon began to neglect his studies in favor of attending concerts and operas. He also started to take private piano lessons.

In 1831, Schumann’s father died and he was forced to take over the family business. He was not successful and the business quickly failed. This led to a nervous breakdown and a suicide attempt. He was saved by his friends and sent to live with his aunt in Endenich, near Bonn.

It was during his time in Endenich that Schumann truly began to focus on his music. He started to compose more and began work on his first symphony. In 1833, he met the famous violinist Niccolo Paganini and was greatly inspired by him.

In 1834, Schumann returned to Leipzig and resumed his studies. He also started to write music criticism for a local newspaper. In 1835, he met the woman who would become his wife, Clara Wieck. Clara was a talented pianist and composer herself. The two fell in love and were married in 1840.

Schumann’s career as a composer took off in the early 1840s. He wrote a number of successful works including his Piano Concerto in A Minor and his “Spring” Symphony. His health began to decline in the late 1840s, however, and he suffered from depression and anxiety. In 1854, he attempted suicide again but was saved by Clara. He was committed to an asylum soon after and died there two years later on July 29, 1856.

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia