June 8 - Robert Schumann (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for June 8th are found here: Robert Schumann (2019), Tomaso Albinoni (2020), and Nancy Sinatra (2021)

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Robert Schumann (8 June 1810 – 29 July 1856) was a German composer, pianist, and influential music critic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warum?

 

After a suicide attempt in 1854, Schumann was admitted at his own request to a mental asylum. Diagnosed with psychotic melancholia, he died of pneumonia two years later at the age of 46, without recovering from his mental illness. --- Wikipedia  

Study Schumann and you’ll find

That in the end he lost his mind.

No doubt you’ll find his tragic fate

A dreadful thing to contemplate;

And then you’ll wonder why I’m spending

Time upon his doleful ending.

Well, my friend, don’t make a fuss,

The explanation’s simply thus:

No matter how the world reacts,

Silence doesn’t change the facts.

Life has cycles - joy and sadness, -

Sanity, but also madness.

Behind a stroller there’s a hearse,

Even in a birthday verse.

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"I Told You So"

She was the main breadwinner for her family and the sole one after her husband was hospitalized and then died. -- Wikipedia, s.v. "Clara Schumann"

When Robert and Clara were courting, 

Her father was constantly thwarting

Their efforts to wed,

And he sensibly said,

“That musician is not self-supporting.”

 

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Er, der Herrlichste von allen

She was also instrumental in getting the works of Robert Schumann recognized, appreciated and added to the repertoire. She promoted his works tirelessly throughout her life. -- Wikipedia, s.v. "Clara Schumann"

When Clara was left all alone,

Her Robert was largely unknown,

But without any pause

She adopted his cause

With a hagiographical tone.

 

 

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