A part of Touch 2016 Series
In one of Robert Schumann’s (1810-1856) more famous lieders, Frauenliebe und Lieben, he composes about a woman who undergoes deep tragedy and depression following her husband’s death, but ultimately triumphs by finding forgiveness and redemption in herself. Schumann’s own life is not dissimilar to the tragedy faced by the protagonist in his lieder, facing a myriad of setbacks and disappointments in his personal life which eventually drove him into deep depression and suicide.
Early in his life, Schumann was torn between the profession of becoming a lawyer and and professional musician with him finally deciding to become a professional pianist at age 20. Shortly after coming to his decision however, Schumann permanently injured a finger on his right hand. Schumann attempted to rectify his condition on his own by building a mechanical device to strengthen his hand. Unfortunately, the self made device only served to injure the young musician’s hand even more severely, forcing him to give up the piano completely and focus his efforts purely on composing.
Later on into his life, Schumann married his only wife, Clara Schumann, who was herself a brilliant pianist and musician. Fortunately for him, she was deeply in love and dedicated to him and was also talented enough to support their family with her many performances while on tour. Unfortunately for him, her talent often eclipsed his, with her skill at the piano granting her recognition and favour across Europe while her husband constantly remained on the periphery of the musical scene. Indeed, Schumann’s position was so dire such that on one occasion while accompanying Clara on tour, she was asked whether her husband “too was a musician”. As a composer, Schumann’s works were often also met with derision with his wife’s talent often more celebrated and despite Clara stoutly upholding her husband’s talent. All of these setbacks eventually contributed to Schumann’s mental decline, with him suffering from intense anxiety and depression driving him to the point of suicide.
Schumann ultimately did try to end his life, throwing himself over a bridge into the Rhine river. He did survive the attempt and was admitted into an asylum for the insane. There, Schumann remained largely comatose and unresponsive to most of those who visited him. During his last days however his wife Clara visited him and he was able to regain some of his senses, muttering the few words: “I know you” to her, leaving her overjoyed. Schumann ultimately died in the asylum, under-appreciated and unknown.
Schumann having been educated in both prose and music composed a great number of lieders and program music. Despite not being appreciated in his time and falling to depression and an untimely death, he remains one of the greatest composers of his time and his music is still widely appreciated today. Here is a piece that reflects both the anguish and hope that Schumann may have experienced while he was still alive.