Essay - Robert Schumann German Composer Robert Alexander Schumann (1810 to 1856)...

ROBERT SCHUMANN

German composer Robert Alexander Schumann (1810 to 1856) is generally considered as the greatest of the German romantic composers and w***** the master of many musical forms. Schumann's extraordinary talent was best suited for the piano ***** to German art songs, known as lieder. His compositions ***** the piano are considered as ***** best ever composed and rival those ***** Schubert and Brahms. Schumann also composed orchestral music, chamber ***** and combinations of both of these styles with the piano serving as the main instrument.

***** born in Zwickau, Saxony, on June 8, ***** and at a very early age, he was exposed to fine literature through his father, an author an bookshop proprie*****r. At the age of six, he st*****ed ***** lessons yet it ***** not until 1819 that his interest in music truly beg***** after attending a concert by t***** pianis***** Ignaz Moscheles which inspired him to compose his own *****. Between 1828 and 1829, Schumann became a student ***** Friedrick Wieck ***** met his daughter Clara who also became a great pianist. But at this time, Schumann faced a major personal problem, based on his fear of insanity which proved to be authentic, due ***** being confined to an asylum during the last years of his short life.

In 1830, Schum*****n saw the ***** violinist Paganini and its affect on ***** was very profound which lead to adopting Paganini's "Caprices" for the piano. During ***** time, Schumann also ***** his "A*****g Variations" (Opus 1); between 1834 and 1835, he composed the "Carnaval" ***** suite by employing a technique ***** as sogget***** cavato which means "carved-out melody." In 1830, Schumann returned to the city of Leipzig ***** began his studies ***** Wieck once again. ***** relationship with Clara also intensified, despite the fact ***** she was still a ***** young girl.

***** 1831, Schum*****nn continued his piano studies and composed his "Papillons," "an extended cycle of ***** character pieces based on romantic ideals" (Sadie, 778). He also composed 23 opuses for piano which signaled ***** ultimate burst ***** creative energy for Schumann. Some other pieces ***** at this time include "Toccata," three ***** sonatas, "Symphonic Variations," "Scenes From Childhood" and "Kreisleriana."

***** 1834, Schumann ***** a group of his devoted followers cre*****ted the "Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik." ***** also became engaged ***** Ernestine von Fricken which did not endure, due to his love for Clara. In 1840, Schumann married Clara despite not having her father's consent, ***** Clara ***** till quite young. 1840 also saw the composition ***** "Myr*****n," "Liederkreis," "Fraunenliebe und Leben" and "Dichterliebe." ***** 1841, a ye*****r known as the "Symphony Year," Schumann composed his Symphony No. 1 in B flat major and Symphony No. 2. O*****rs ***** the ***** No. 2 in C ***** and the Symphony No. 3 in E flat major; in 1842, he completed his ultimate masterpiece, the Quintet for piano ***** strings.

In ***** late 1840, Schumann began to experience bouts of mental illness and attempted suicide several times.