Life and creative path of Shuman. Schumann - who is he? A frustrated pianist, a brilliant composer, or a keen music critic? Robert Schumann short biography for children

Schumann's music is distinguished by a particularly acute psychologism, it penetrates deeply into the state of the human soul. He very subtly reflected the change of these states in music. He has a direct contact of passionate impulse and immersion in the world of dreams. In many ways, he reflected the properties of his nature - duality.

An important property of Schumann's music is fantasy, but this is not folk fiction, but, as it were, the world of his soul, visions, dreams, very individualized. This also manifests itself in musical critical activity. He was very gifted in the field of literature. He wrote novels, stories, as well as articles in the genre of short stories, plays, letters, dialogues and other works. The heroes of these articles were very unusual characters. He invented for himself the "Davidic Brotherhood" - a society. Its members are Davidsbündlers. There he included Mozart, Paganini, Chopin, as well as Clara Wieck (his wife), as well as: Florestan and Eusebius. Florestan and Eusebius are fictitious names (these are like two halves of his personality, who argued among themselves). He used them as pseudonyms. Maestro Raro reconciled the dreamy Eusebius and the stormy Florestan.

Schumann supported all the best in art. He was the first to talk about Chopin, supported Berlioz, and wrote articles about Beethoven. His last article was on Brahms. In 1839 he found Schubert's symphony in C-dur and performed it, and in the 50th year he became one

from the organizers of the Beethoven Society. Schumann's work is associated with German romantic literature. His favorite poet is Jeanne Paul (real name is Richter). Under the impression of the works of this writer, a play was written - "Butterflies". Loved the poet Hoffmann. Under the influence of his works, "Kreisleriana" was written. Heine had a great influence. On his poems, vocal cycles were written - "Circle of Songs" and "Poet's Love".

Schumann loved to use carnival in his works (because there is a change of characters). Schumann's musical language is very subtle. The connection with folk music is not the same as that of Schubert. There is no explicit example. The melodies are more declamatory. Harmonic language becomes more complicated. The texture is subtle, melodic and polyphonic. The rhythm is capricious, whimsical.

Schumann wrote many works: about 50 collections of pieces for piano, variations on the theme Abegg, Butterflies, Carnival, symphonies, etudes, Dances of Davidsbündlers, fantastic pieces, Kreislerian, Vienna Carnival, short stories, etc. , 3 sonatas for piano, fantasy, more than 200 songs, vocal cycles: "The Love of a Poet", "Circle of Songs" on Heine, "Myrtles", "Circle of Songs" on the verses of Eichendorf, "Love and the Life of a Woman" on the verses of Chamisso, Spanish love songs, songs from "Wilhelm Meister" (Goethe), 4 symphonies, concerts for piano, cello and violin with orchestra, Stück concert for piano and orchestra, Stück concert for 4 horns and orchestra, 3 string quartets, piano quartet, piano quintet, 3 piano trios, 2 violin sonatas, other chamber ensembles, the oratorio "Paradise and Perry", the opera "Genoveva", music for dramatic performances, about 200 critical articles - selected articles on music and musicians.

Zwickau

Schumann was born in the family of a book publisher. From childhood, both literary and musical abilities were manifested. Until the age of 16, Schumann did not know who he would be. He studied at the gymnasium, wrote poetry, wrote comedies, dramas. Studied Schiller, Goethe, antique literature. Organized a literary circle. He was very fond of Jeanne Paul. He wrote a novel under his influence. From the age of seven he has been writing music. As a child, I was impressed by the performance of the pianist Moscheles. The first teacher is organist Kunsht. Under his leadership, Schumann achieved great success. He studied music by Mozart, Weber. He wrote musical sketches (the image of a person in music). He fell in love with Schubert and wrote several songs.

In 1828, under the influence of his mother, he entered the Faculty of Law at the University of Leipzig. In addition, he has been studying piano with Friedrich Wieck for 30 years. Schumann hears Paganini and wants to become a virtuoso. Subsequently, he wrote etudes based on Paganini's caprices and concert sketches. Schumann formed a circle of music lovers (while studying at the university). Writes a cycle of plays "Butterflies" for piano.

In 1829 he transferred to the University of Heidelberg. He dropped out in 1830. While studying at the university, he visited Munich, where he met Heine, as well as in Italy. During this period he wrote: Variations "Abegg", toccata, "Butterflies", processing of caprices by Paganini. After university he settled with Wieck in Leipzig. He hurt, outplayed his hand. He began to study composition and transcriptions with Dorn.

30s. The dawn of piano creativity. Wrote: symphonic studies, carnival, fantasy, fantastic pieces. Publicistic activity begins. 1st article about Chopin "I'll take off my hat down with gentlemen in front of you, genius!" In 1834 he founded the "New Musical Newspaper". He spoke out against conservatism, philistinism, entertainment. Berlioz, Liszt, Brahms, composers from Poland and Scandinavia were promoted there. Schumann called for the creation of a German musical theater in the tradition of "Fidelio" and "Magic Shooter".

The style of all the articles was very emotional. In 1839 Schumann found the score of Schubert's symphony in C-dur, and his friend Mendelssohn performed it. In 1840 he married Clara Wieck. He wrote many songs: "Myrtles", "Love and the Life of a Woman", "Love of a Poet".

The 40s - early 50s brought symphonies, chamber ensembles, concerts for piano, violin, cello, the oratorio "Paradise and Perry", scenes from Goethe's Faust, music to Manfred Byron. In 1843, Mendelssohn opened the Leipzig Conservatory and invited Schumann there for piano, composition and reading scores. In 1844 Schumann had to leave the music newspaper and the conservatory. Traveled to Russia as the husband of Clara Wieck. Mendelssohn and Italy were fashionable in Russia. Not many people understood Schumann's significance: Anton Rubinstein, Tchaikovsky, members of The Mighty Heap. The disease developed, and the family left for Dresden. Schumann wants to get a job as the head of a musical theater, but it doesn't work out. Meeting with Wagner. Wagner's music was alien to Schumann.

1848 - there was a revolution in France and Germany. He wrote 4 republican marches, 3 male choirs for revolutionary texts. After a few years, he reacts to the revolution in a different way. At 50. the Schumann family leaves for Dusseldorf. There he directed the orchestra and choral societies.

53 - Schumann's acquaintance with Brahms. Schumann's last article on Brahms. In 1854 Schumann tries to commit suicide. He wanted to drown himself, but he was rescued. He was cured, but he lost his mind and after 2 years of unsuccessful treatment in a psychiatric hospital in 1856 Schumann died.

Piano creativity

Music is psychological. It displays different contrasting states and the change in these states. Schumann was very fond of piano miniatures, as well as cycles of piano miniatures, since they can very well express contrast. Schumann refers to programmaticity. These are program pieces often associated with literary imagery. They all have names that are a little strange for that time - "Impulse", "From whatN", variations on the theme of Abegg (this is the name of his girlfriend), he used the letters of her surname as notes (A, B, E, G); "Asch" is the name of the city where Schumann's former love lived (these letters, as tonality, entered the "Carnival"). Schumann was very fond of the carnivalism of music, because of its diversity. For example: "Butterflies", "Hungarian Carnival", "Carnival". The variational method of development - "Abegg", "Symphonic Etudes" - a cycle of genre-characteristic variations on one theme, which transforms from a funeral march (at the beginning) into a solemn march (at the end). They are called etudes, since each variation contains new virtuoso etude techniques. They are symphonic because the sound of the piano in them resembles an orchestra (powerful tutti, highlighting individual lines).

Robert Schumann (1810-1856) - German composer, music critic and educator. One of the outstanding musicians of the era of such an artistic direction in art as romanticism. He was predicted the future of the best pianist in Europe, but Robert injured his hand and could no longer play a musical instrument, in this regard, he devoted his life to writing music.

Parents

Robert was born on June 8, 1810 in the German town of Zwickau, located in picturesque Saxony.

The head of the family, Friedrich August Schumann, was the son of an impoverished priest from Ronnenburg. He possessed a poetic talent by nature. However, the poverty in which his childhood and adolescence passed, forced the guy to part with dreams of poetry and go into business. After graduating from school, he entered the service of a merchant as an apprentice. But the trade was extremely disgusting to him, while the books of Friedrich Augustus were read to madness. In the end, he left the merchant, returned home to his parents and took up literary work. The novel he wrote was not published, but it became an occasion for acquaintance with booksellers. Schumann was invited to work as an assistant in a bookstore, and he happily agreed.

Soon Friedrich August met a charming girl Johann Christian Schnabel, whom he loved with all his heart. Their marriage was opposed by the bride's parents because of the extreme poverty of the groom. But persistent Schumann worked so hard for a year that he saved up money not only for a wedding, but also for opening his own bookstore. When business was particularly successful, Friedrich August transferred them to the city of Zwickau, where he opened a shop called "Schumann Brothers".

Robert Schumann's mother, Johann Christian, unlike her introverted and serious husband, was a cheerful, hot, sometimes hot-tempered woman, but very kind. She was engaged in the home and raising children, of whom there were five in the family - sons (Karl, Edward, Julius, Robert) and daughter Emilia.

The future composer was the youngest child in the family. After his birth, his mother fell into a kind of exalted delight and concentrated all her maternal love on Robert. She called the youngest child "a bright spot on her path in life."

Childhood

Schumann grew up as a playful and cheerful child. The boy was very handsome, with a thinly defined face, which was framed by blond long curls. He was not only the beloved mother's son, but also the darling of the whole family. Adults and children calmly endured Robert's leprosy and whims.

At the age of six, the boy was sent to Dener's school. Among his classmates, Schumann immediately began to stand out and excel. In all games, he was the leader, and when they played the most beloved - the soldiers, Robert was certainly elected a commander and led the battle.

It cannot be said that Schumann studied brilliantly at school, but his rich creative nature manifested itself immediately. Having discovered that the child had an excellent ear for music, at the age of seven, his parents sent him to a local organist to learn how to play the piano. In addition to musicality, his paternal genes also appeared in Robert, the boy wrote poetry, a little later tragedies and comedies, which he learned with his comrades and demonstrated, sometimes even for a moderate fee.

As soon as Robert learned to play the piano, he immediately began to improvise and write music. At first, he composed dances, which he painstakingly wrote down in a thick music book. The most unique thing he managed to do on a musical instrument was to depict character traits using sounds. In this way he painted his friends on the piano. It came out so great that the boys, gathered around the young composer, rolled with laughter.

Passion for music

Schumann hesitated for a long time, what to devote his life to - music or literature? The father, of course, wanted his son to make his unfulfilled dreams come true and become a writer or poet. But chance decided everything. In 1819, in Carlsbad, the boy went to a Moscheles concert. The virtuoso's playing made an extraordinary impression on young Schumann; he then kept the concert program for a long time, like a shrine. From that day on, Robert realized that his heart completely and irrevocably belongs to music.

In 1828, the young man graduated from the gymnasium, receiving a first degree diploma. The joy of this was slightly overshadowed by the upcoming career and profession choices. By this time, his father had died, and Robert had lost all creative support. Mom insisted on further legal education. After listening to her persuasion, Robert became a student at the University of Leipzig. In 1829 he transferred to one of the most prestigious universities in Germany - the University of Heidelberg.

But the heart of the young composer yearned for music, and in 1830 Schumann received permission from his mother to quit legal studies and take up creative activities.

Creation

He returned to Leipzig, found good mentors and took piano lessons. Robert wanted to become a virtuoso pianist. But during his studies, he suffered paralysis of the middle and index fingers, because of which he had to give up his dream and focus on music writing. Simultaneously with the composition, he took up music criticism.

In 1834 he founded the influential periodical, Novaya Musiknaya Gazeta. For several years he was its editor and published his articles there.

Robert wrote most of his works for piano. Basically, these are "portrait", lyric-dramatic and pictorial cycles of several small plays, which are connected with each other by a plot-psychological line:

• Butterflies (1831);
• Carnival (1834);
• Davidsbündlers, Fantastic Fragments (1837);
• Kreisleriana, Scenes of Children (1838);
• Poet's Love (1840);
• Album for Youth (1848).

In 1840, Robert was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Leipzig. This year, in general, became the most fruitful for the composer in his work, inspired by his marriage to his beloved woman, he wrote about 140 songs.

In 1843, Felix Mendelssohn founded the Higher School of Music and Theater (now the Conservatory) in Leipzig, Schumann taught there composition and piano, reading scores.

In 1844, Robert interrupted his teaching and work in a music newspaper, as he and his wife went on a tour to Moscow and St. Petersburg. They were received very warmly there. Clara played with the Empress herself, and Schumann made many useful acquaintances. The spouses were especially impressed by the luxury of the Winter Palace.

Returning from Russia, Robert refused to continue publishing the newspaper and devoted himself entirely to writing music. But such a zealous zeal for work began to have a detrimental effect on his condition. The composer was also upset by the fact that he was met everywhere as the husband of the famous pianist Clara Wieck. Traveling with his wife on tour, he became more and more convinced that his fame did not go beyond Leipzig and Dresden. But Robert never envied his wife's success, because it was Clara who was the first performer of all Schumann's works and made his music famous.

Personal life

In September 1840, Robert married the daughter of his musical mentor Friedrich Wieck. This marriage met many obstacles in its path. With all due respect to Schumann, Friedrich Wieck wanted a more suitable groom for his daughter. The lovers even resorted to at least - they went to court with a request to decide their fate.

The court ruled in favor of the young, and they played a modest wedding in the village of Schönfeld. Schumann's dream came true, now his beloved Clara Wieck and the piano were next to him. The brilliant pianist united with the great composer, they had eight children - four girls and four boys. The couple were insanely happy until Robert developed mental disorders.

last years of life

In 1850, Schumann was invited to Düsseldorf to take the place of the city director of music. Arriving with his wife in this city, they were amazed at the warm welcome they received. Robert happily began to work in a new position: he conducted spiritual concerts in the church, studied with the choir every week, and directed symphony orchestras.

Under fresh impressions in Dusseldorf, the composer created the Rhine Symphony, The Messina Bride, overtures to Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and Goethe's Hermann and Dorothea.

However, quarrels soon began with the orchestra, and in 1853 the contract with Schumann was not renewed. He and his wife went to travel to Holland, but symptoms of mental illness began to appear there. Back in Germany, it didn't get any easier. On the contrary, apathy and signs of illness intensified. The consciousness of such a sad state pushed Robert to commit suicide, he tried to commit suicide by throwing himself into the Rhine River from the bridge. The composer was rescued and placed in a psychiatric clinic near Bonn.

At first, he was allowed to correspond with Klara and make friends. But soon the doctors noticed that after the visits, Schumann was wildly excited, and his comrades were forbidden to come to the patient. Robert fell into a state of profound melancholy, in addition to auditory and visual hallucinations of smell and taste. Mental strength was fading away, physical health was drying up even faster, since the composer completely refused to eat. He passed away on July 29, 1856 as a result of depletion of the body.

When opening the skull, it was found that the cause of the disease was precisely here: Schumann's blood vessels were overflowing, the bones at the base of the skull became thickened and a new bone mass was released, which with sharp tips broke through the outer meninges.

The body of the great composer was transported to Bonn and buried in the presence of a huge crowd of people.

Robert Schumann a short biography of the German composer is presented in this article.

Biography and work of Robert Schumann

Robert Schumann, born June 8, 1810 in the small town of Zwickau, in an absolutely non-musical family. His parents were publishing books. They wanted to add a child to this business, but being at the age of seven, Robert showed a passion for music.

He entered the University of Leipzig in 1828 at the Faculty of Law. While in Leipzig, Robert meets Wick, the best piano teacher and begins to take lessons from him. A year later, realizing that a lawyer is far from the profession he wants to master, Schumann transferred to the University of Heidelberg. He returned to Leipzig in 1830 and continued to take piano lessons from Wieck. In 1831, he injured his right hand and the career of the great pianist came to an end. But Schumann did not even think to give up music - he began to write musical works and mastered the profession of a music critic.

Robert Schumann founds the New Music Magazine in Leipzig, and until 1844 was its editor, main author and publisher. He paid particular attention to writing pieces of music for the piano. The most significant cycles are - Butterflies, Variations, Carnival, Dances of Davidsbüdler, Fantastic pieces. In 1838 he wrote several real masterpieces - Noveleta, Children's scenes and Kreislerian.

When it came time to get married, in 1840 Robert married Clara Wieck, the daughter of his music teacher. She was known as a talented pianist. During the years of marriage he also wrote a number of symphonic works - Paradise and Peri, Requiem and Mass, Requiem for Mignon, scenes from Faust.

Robert Schumann (German Robert Schumann; June 8, 1810, Zwickau - July 29, 1856) - German composer and pianist. One of the most famous romantic composers of the first half of the 19th century.
Schumann was born in the family of a book publisher. From childhood, both literary and musical abilities were manifested. Until the age of 16, Schumann could not choose between music and literature. He studied at the gymnasium, wrote poetry, wrote comedies, dramas. Studied Schiller, Goethe, antique literature. Organized a literary circle. He was very fond of Jean Paul. He wrote a novel under his influence. From the age of seven he wrote music. As a child, he was impressed by the performance of the pianist Moscheles. The first teacher is organist Kunsht. Under his leadership, Schumann achieved great success. He studied music by Mozart, Weber. He wrote musical sketches (the image of a person in music). He fell in love with Schubert and wrote several songs.

In 1828, under the influence of his mother, he entered the Faculty of Law at the University of Leipzig. In addition, he has been studying piano with Friedrich Wieck for 30 years. Schumann hears Paganini and wants to become a virtuoso. Subsequently, he wrote etudes based on Paganini's caprices and concert sketches. Schumann formed a circle of music lovers (while studying at the university). Writes a cycle of pieces 'Butterflies' for piano.

In 1829 he transferred to the University of Heidelberg, which he dropped out in 1830. While studying at the university, he visited Munich, where he met Heine, as well as in Italy. During this period, he wrote Variations on the 'Abegg' theme, toccata, and Paganini's caprices. After university he settled with Wieck in Leipzig. Stretching his fingers, he injured his hand, which is why he stopped performing. He began to study composition and transcriptions with Dorn.

30s - the dawn of piano creativity. Wrote: a variation cycle "Symphonic Etudes", a photo repian cycle "Carnival", a fantasy, a piano cycle "Fantastic Pieces". Publicistic activity begins. 1st article about Chopin ‘Hats down, gentlemen, you have a genius!’. In 1834 he founded the ‘New Musical Gazette’. He spoke out against conservatism, philistinism, entertainment. Berlioz, Liszt, Brahms, composers from Poland and Scandinavia were promoted there. Schumann called for the creation of a German musical theater in the ‘Fidelio’ and ‘Magic Shooter’ traditions.

The style of all the articles was very emotional. In 1839 Schumann found the score of Schubert's symphony in C-dur, and his friend Mendelssohn performed it. In 1840 he married the pianist Clara Wieck, daughter of Friedrich Wieck. He wrote cycles of songs: ‘Myrthas’, ‘Love and the life of a woman’, ‘Love of a poet’.

The 40s - early 50s brought symphonies, chamber ensembles, concerts for piano, violin, cello, the 'Paradise and Perry' oratorio, scenes from Goethe's Faust, music to Manfred Byron. In 1843, Mendelssohn opened the Leipzig Conservatory and invited Schumann there for piano, composition and reading scores. In 1844 Schumann had to leave the music newspaper and the conservatory. He traveled to Russia, where he was known as the husband of Clara Wieck. Mendelssohn and Italy were fashionable in Russia. Not many people understood Schumann's significance: Anton Rubinstein, Tchaikovsky, composers of the 'Mighty Heap'. The disease developed, and the family left for Dresden. Schumann wants to get a job as the head of a musical theater, but it doesn't work out. Meeting with Wagner. Wagner's music was alien to Schumann.

1848 - there was a revolution in France and Germany. He wrote 4 republican marches, 3 male choirs for revolutionary texts. After a few years, he reacts to the revolution in a different way. At 50. the Schumann family leaves for Dusseldorf. There he directed the orchestra and choral societies.

1853 - Schumann's acquaintance with Brahms. In 1854 Schumann tries to commit suicide. A mental illness developed: a sound sounded in my head. While his wife was on tour, he made a failed attempt to drown himself in the Rhine. He was sent to a clinic for the mentally ill and after 2 years of inconclusive treatment in 1856 Schumann died. Clara Wieck was able to see him only after her death.

The famous German composer Robert Schumann, a romantic, a dreamer with a tender and vulnerable soul, brought progress and innovation to the traditional classical dimension of the world musical art. Combining poetics, harmony and philosophy in his work, he achieved that his works were not just melodic and beautiful in sound, but were an external reflection of a person's inner worldview, his desire to express his state of mind. Schumann can rightfully be considered an innovator striving for progress in European classical music of the 19th century.

Years of life

Schumann did not live a very long life, marked by the seal and suffering of a serious and painful illness. He was born on June 8, 1810 and died on July 29, 1856. His family was not musical at all. He was born into the family of a bookseller, where, in addition to him, there were four older children. From the age of seven, the boy begins to study music with a local organist, and at the age of 12 he tried to create his own piece of music.

Parents dreamed that their son would become a lawyer and Robert spent several years studying to please them, but it turned out that his vocation for music is much stronger than his desire to please his parents and arrange a prosperous future for himself. While studying in Leipzig at the Faculty of Law, she devoted all her free time to music.

His acquaintance with Franz Schubert, a trip to the Italian Mecca of art - Venice, delight from attending Paganini's concerts, strengthened his desire to devote himself to music. He begins to take piano lessons from Friedrich Wieck, where he meets his future wife Klara, who became his faithful associate and companion for the rest of his life. Hateful jurisprudence remains on the sidelines, and Schumann devotes himself entirely to music.

His aspiration to become a pianist ended almost tragically. To increase the dexterity of the fingers, which is very important for the performer, Schumann underwent an operation that was unsuccessful, and he lost the opportunity to make a career as a musician. But now he devoted all his time to composing musical works. Together with other young musicians, Schumann began to publish the magazine "Novaya Musiknaya Gazeta". For this magazine, Schumann writes a large number of critical articles on contemporary musical art.

The works of Robert Schumann, starting from the very first works, are full of romanticism, idyllic dreaminess and are filled with echoes of his own feelings. But, in spite of the tinge of sentimentality so fashionable for his time, a desire for material success was developed in him. This was especially evident when Schumann decided to start a family. Clara Wieck, the daughter of his music teacher and mentor, became his chosen one. Clara was a gifted and very successful pianist, so the union of these two musically talented people was very harmonious and happy.

Almost every year, another child appeared in the family of Robert and Clara, there were eight of them in total. But this did not prevent the spouses from successfully touring European cities. In 1844 they visited Russia with concerts, where they received a very warm welcome. His wife was an amazing woman! A wonderful pianist herself, she, realizing the extraordinary talent of her husband, tried to protect him from everyday difficulties, and Schumann was able to devote himself entirely to writing.

Fortune gave Schumann sixteen happy married years, and only a serious mental illness darkened this happy union. In 1854, the disease worsened and even voluntary treatment in an advanced clinic did not help. In 1856, Schumann died.

The work of the composer

Robert Schumann left behind a huge musical legacy. Starting with the first printed works "Butterflies", "Davidsbündlers", "Fantastic Pies", "Kreislerian" of such airy, gentle, transparent miniatures filled with air and light, and ending with the operas "Faust", "Manfred", symphonies and oratorios, he always remained, faithful to his ideal in music.

Robert Schumann, undoubtedly, is a subtle and talented master, brilliantly conveys all shades of feelings and moods, therefore his famous lyric cycles "Circle of Songs", "Love of a Poet", "Love and Life of a Woman", are still extremely popular among performers and listeners ... Many, like his contemporaries, consider his works to be difficult, difficult to perceive, but Schumann's works are an example of spirituality and nobility of human nature, and not just glitter and tinsel of glamor.