Composer Series

Composer Series: Robert Schumann

Today we feature Robert Schumann—a great from the Romantic Era. Who do you want use to share next?! Tell us in the comments!

Robert Schumann
June 8th, 1810 – July 29th 1856

Schumann was a German composer, pianist, and influential music critic.

After a hand injury, Robert's dreams of becoming a virtuoso pianist disappeared and so he focused on the craft of composing.

In 1840, Schumann married Clara Wieck. A lifelong partnership in music began, as Clara herself was an established pianist and music prodigy.

Schumann composed piano, choral, orchestral, and chamber works. He also composed an opera.

At 44, he was diagnosed with psychotic melancholia and died of pneumonia two years later at the age of 46.

Our Favorites:
Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op.54
Kinderszenen, Op. 15:7
Overture, Scherzo & Finale, Op.52
Fantasie in C
Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op.120

Composer Series: Clara Schumann

Clara Schumann

September 13th 1819 – May 20th 1896

  • Clara Schumann was a German pianist, composer, and piano teacher.

  • She Regarded as one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era, she exerted her influence over a 61-year concert career.

  • She was a child prodigy, and began touring Europe with success at age eleven.

  • At the age of 18, Robert Schumann proposed to Clara, and they married three years later right before her 21st birthday. They kept a music and personal diary of their life together.

  • Robert and Clara's good friend, Johannes Brahms, wrote many pieces Clara premiered.

  • As a composer, Clara produced one to eight compositions every year beginning at age 11.

"Composing gives me great pleasure...there is nothing that surpasses the joy of creation."

Our Favorites:
Piano Concerto in A minor
Piano Trio in G minor
6 Lieder, Op.13
Three Romances

Composer Series: Sergei Prokofiev

Sergei Prokofiev 
April 23rd 1891 - March 5th 1953 

Prokofiev was a Russian Soviet composer, pianist and conductor. He began composing at the age of five. 

He is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century. 

Prokofiev's first love was opera. His most successful was the satirical 'The Love for Three Oranges.' 

Sergei was an avid chess player. 

In 'Peter and the Wolf' Prokofiev introduced countless children to the orchestra by using melodic themes and the sound of different instruments to represent characters.

Our favorites: 
Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64, ballet in four acts 
Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67 
Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 25 
Piano Concerto No. 3