The Essay - A Robert Schumann Album - Clara and Robert

The opposition of Clara Wieck's father to Clara's love for Robert Schumann is well known. Pianist Lucy Parham focusses more on Clara as she describes the passionate yearning she had for him, and the fulfilment of married life, which was eventually to produce eight children, of which seven survived. As importantly she also became his muse, inspiring some of his best work, as well as being his greatest advocate. A brilliant pianist she set off with him on numerous concert tours, bringing in much needed income. He, on his part, encouraged her to compose and, despite successive pregnancies and the duties of motherhood, allowed her own musical skills to flourish. She survived him by 40 years continuing to perform his works and ensuring his name did not vanish from musical history.