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Robert Schumann's Place as a National Composer. Peculiar Greatness as a Piano-forte Composer. Born at Zwickau in 1810. His Father's Aversion to his Musical Studies. Becomes a Student of Jurisprudence in Leipzig. Makes the Acquaintance of Clara Wieck. Tedium of his Law Studies. Vacation Tour to Italy. Death of his Father, and Consent of his Mother to Schumann adopting the Profession of Music.
"My whole life has been a twenty years struggle between poetry and prose, or let us say between music and law. If I follow my own bent, it points, as I believe correctly, to music. Write yourself to Wieck at Leipsic and ask him frankly what he thinks of me and my plan. Beg him to answer at once and decisively." The letter was duly written to Wieck, who decided in favor of Robert and his plans.
He was also pleased to note that the letters S-C-H-A were in his own name. While all this flirtation and loving and getting betrothed was going on in the home of Wieck, there was another member of the same household, another pupil of the same teacher, who was not deriving so much delight from the arrangement.
Would it not be a great pity if there were never such a gymnasium as parental resistance for lovers to exercise their hearts in? Shall we not, then, thank old Wieck for his fine lessons in psychical culture? His daughter Marie, by the way, Clara's half-sister, has only this year published a defence of the old man in answer to the first volume of Litzmann's new biography.
As for the old Wieck, his bitterness must have been almost suicidal. He did not forgive his daughter even after the birth of her first child, on September 1, 1841, the year also of Schumann's first symphony.
The dreamy fervor and the glowing fire of an impassioned nature may be felt in his works, but also many times the lack of balance that belongs with the malady by which he was assailed. His love of music became early interwoven with love for Clara, the gifted daughter and pupil of his teacher, Friedrich Wieck. To her he dedicated his creative power.
That Schumann should make out a sworn statement of his income which he had given Wieck in Leipzig in September, 1837, and turn it over to Wieck's lawyer. 4. That Schumann should not communicate with him verbally or by letter, until he himself expressed the wish. 5. That Clara should renounce all claims as to her inheritance. 6. That the marriage should take place September 29, 1839.
Clara learned that such of her letters as had gone through the Wieck home were opened, and she received an anonymous letter which she knew must have been dictated by her father. Her suspicions were later proved. The worst of the affair was the diabolical malice that led Wieck to have the letter put into her hand just before her chief Berlin concert.
All that I have told you is a sacred trust, and don't mention this letter to either the old man or anybody else. "If Wieck speaks of me, it will probably not be in very flattering terms. Don't let that put you out. You will learn to know him. She will be happy to see you, and to give you a look.
Robert was intoxicated with his mother's concession, and he poured out his enthusiasm to Wieck: "Take me as I am, and, above all, bear with me. No blame shall depress me, no praise make me idle. Pails upon pails of very cold theory can not hurt me, and I will work at it without the least murmur."
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