New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-03
CLARA SCHUMANN.
THE GREAT PIANIST WILL PLAY No NUM-
IN PUBLIC.

| aTbe uncrowned Queen Of Pianists, 10 quo'o
|. A., .,onr;.to words of Hans Won Bulow, has
abdicated her throne. 1t Is annouhceo .',a' CT
I clara Scbunann will play more in puonc. Que
bos NJ late been seriously i'll so that her h'o VIZ"
| dcsnaired Of And when her life was Proio""o."
| safe there were fears that she "o"io ii'0
Dor marvellous skill in execution on the piano
rorto These fears. too, are happily dspeiled'
Mime. Schumann is now entirely well. and possesses
all her old power brilliancy and exquisite feeling
| 40 n pianist Yet her illness has apparently re-
minded her that she is longer young, and that
Il IL time for her to retire from the public concert
stage before remorseess age shall impair the per-
lection of her performances She was 10 nave
| made long visit In London next fall lhat en-
| gaqcment she will cancel, and the lOhdohers
will have 10 abandon their cherished hope OF see
| ing her make her permanent home In that CITY
She has decided to remain In Frankfort and, with
the aid of her elder daughter will continue to
give instruction to advanced students Of the plano
, forte As sort of consolation prize. however,
her younger daughter, Mile. Eugenie Schumann'
will spend next fall and winter in London, teach-
| ing and giving concerts. Both the daughters
possess considerable share of the ability OF
their illusrious parents though not inspired with
absolute genius
II seems. indeed like turning back many pages
who wrote "Traumerci" Nor is she merely his
widow. nor was she merely his wife. One might
say truly that she was his artistic creator. Had
it not been for Clara Week, the world would
never have heard of Robert Schumann. II was
she who led him TO turn from lawbooSs 10 music.
and IL was she who led and sustained and IN
spired him in every moment Of his artistic career
There Il not one Of his compositions that Is not
colored by her gentle fancy and not one Of them
ever would have been penned, save under her
influence.
She was only thirteen years old when. In the
autumn OF 1899, lie first saw her and fell SO
ardenty in love with her that the whole tenor
of his life was changed. Already at that time
she was a noted musician Doubtless she inherited
her talent. Frederick Week, her father, was one
of the foremost music Of Leipsic, and her
mother, Marianne Tromlitz. was famed both as
singer and q pianist Clara was one OF the
Infant prodigies" in which that generation
aboundcd. At nine years old she was playing IN
public the most difficult compositions of Mozart
and Hummel entirely from memory, and with a
strength and mature artistic appreciation really
wonderful She made her debut In the great
Music Hall of Ieipsic on October 90 1928.
Under the guidance of good musical experience"
said of the foremost critics. who was present,
land taught by q fathers energetic love thor
oughly 10 understand the art Of piano playing, we
dare to cherish the highest hopes for her" Soon
after she began playing compositions OF her own,
the style OF which IL is interesting to compare
with that OF the great works with which her
husbands name is identified And in October,
1872. she made her first appearance at the famous
Gcwandhaus concerts. playing that occasion
Moschces's concerto in G. Minor.
Robert Schumsnn was one Of the Gewandhaus
audience. He then Young lawclerk, with
no idea OF ever being musician But at irst
sight. or frst hearing. he WIS completely en-
rapturrd with Clara Week He must make her
acquaintance. In some way. and the way selected
was the best possible lie went straight IN her
father and told him he wanted 70 study music
That was an entirely reasonable GRAND, and
Week at accepted him a pupil. Schumann.
il must be said showed himself an earnest and
dgcnt student, possessed of real artistic genius.
and made rapid progress. He also made love 10
Clara Week; and she TO him Pretty soon Papa
Week discovered the billing and cooling that was
going on, and put stop 70 II. lie had no OBJ
ectlOn 10 Schumaun 40 a future soE-in-law. But
Clara was only thirteen. far too young to think OF
such things Her musical education was not yet
complete. 1t must not be interrupted. SO he
kept Robert there his pupil and sent Clara
away on "A tom Of Europe, partly 10 study partly
distance from her lover On this tour she gained
much good nrristically. She made the ac-
qualntance Of many eminent musicians and
critics all Of them being much impressed by her
genius Goethe declared her the most wonderful
child in the world Chopin nearly lost his head
in admiration of her. Spohr, MendelSsohn.
Meyerbccr. Reisslgrr. Kalkbrnner and others
predicted for her the highest success.
When she returned home in 1896, seventeen
years old she had European reputation. She
and Robert Schumann WEN, moreover. more
deeply In love with each other than ever Anf
as the latter showing extraordinary musical
ability, Week consented 10 their engagement.
He nsiscd the postponcmcnt Of their marriage.
however, for four years more. and so that event
did not occur until September II, 1910. 1T will
prove Il happy match" said List. Their fitness
for each other is perfect, since their mutual love
hns hloesomed in the sunlight of art The
prophecy was fulfilled. although their married
hfc was not of long duration.
Fur some years Sohumann was known merely
as Clara Weeks husband" She was famous. he
was "a yet unknown In 1916 they wer IN Vienna,
nnd she played at a concert attended by tine court
and aristocracy Schumann sat in the audience
IN a place OF honor. however. since he WIS "Clara
Weeks husband When the hall was ringing
with the applause tina, greeted her performance.
one OF the ladies' of the court turned TO him and
exclaimed Beautiful! Glorious, And YOU. Herr
Schumann do you never wish that you too were
a musician
Presently the world began 10 hear more Of
"Cara Weeks husband II was due 10 his
WIGS efforts, however, Recognizing his genius.
she began literally compelling him TO exercise
It. Phase write me something 10 play az my
concerts" she would say Come thinl, what
pleasure II will bc for me 10 play your compost
lions | shall play ever so much better" To
snch an appeal he could not say no. Moreover.
she suggested themes and worked with him. 80
It came 10 pass that he strove TO write music for
her to play. while shc strovc to Be the Interpreter