New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-22
NINE. CLARA SCHUMANN.

period Of the foremost OF executive musicians.
whose high ideals and great accomplishments have
been ennobling influence in her art She did
especially valuable service In making known and
compelling admiration for the music of the roman
tic school whose chief representative was her hus-
band, Robert Schumann Her pianist
before the public came to close only a few years
ago. and as teacher she continued her work 10
almost the end OF her life. few weeks ago she
was stricken with paralysis at her advanced age
a forerunner OF speedy death
Clara Josephine Schumann was born in Lepsc.
September 10. 1919 Her father Friedrich
Week. himself distinguished teacher of the
panoforte and musical writer. She and her sister
Marie showed great precocty in music. and their
ather began their training in pianoforte playing at
a very early age on october 20. 1925 when she had
jus, completed her ninth year. Clara made, In
Lelpslc, her first public appearance. She played
upon this occasion a series OF variations by Kalk-
brenner on the march from Rossinis Noise with
Emile Reinhold. She was already equal to play
ing with orchestra the concertos OF Mozart and
Humme though at that time her prediction or
the policy OF her elders for the performance
OF the more brilliant concert pieces OF contempt
rary writer's, is by the programme Of her
first concert at the Gewandhaus In lS3g-her
eleventh year-when she played a rondo by kalk-
brenner. set OF variations by Herr, and another
OF her own on an original theme In the next TWO
years she appeared repeatedly both at home and on
tour. In which she went as far as Iarls. IN
October. 1882. she made her debut in the regular
series Of the Gewandhaus concerts In Lepsc with
Moscheles's q minor concerto. ana from that time
on her ne figures continually on the programmes
OF these and other important orcheS,rsi perform, RIM
ances. The Increasing maturity OF ner style ana
musical Intelligence Is Indicated by the iact that
she played In 1882. with Mendessohn and Rake
mann, Bach's triple concerto for piano. and Is men
toned appearing al about the same time IN trlos
1885 and there received the honorary title from the
Emperor OF Royal and Imperial Chamber Musi-
cian
Rober, schumann had been on an extremely in
innate footing in the house OF Week In Lepsic,
with whom he had carried on MS stndles lies, as as
member OF Weeks family, lie had expressed MS
admiration FOR the gifted daughter OF the mouse
while she was only fourteen years old, ana al
though at this date his attachment for her couid
hardly have been serious, and was interrupteui Dy
his return 10 his home In Hw!ckau, II was reyNti
In 1896 after his return to lcipsc Tor the csthp,
!ishmen, Of his journal there. Week was opposed
TO their marriage. and when In 49,; sehu Tsnh
formally asked ror his daughters hand, ne refused
to give IT, The grounds Of ms opposition nave oeSn
varlousy stated. They may have been that ne en-
tsrtalned loftler hopes for the young woman al
though schumanns genius had by that time I'm.
folded Itself 10 the eyes OF the discerning anu WaS
recognized by Week It Is more probable that IN,
dcatlons OF the mental disease t1at finally resulted
IN Schumanns death had already become evident
10 his intimate friends and caused the fathers re-
luctance. Schumann with the fun consent or ms
betrothed. then went to Vienna In the vain tnort 10
establish his musical journal there In whicn ne
spent a couple OF years on his return III 1872 ne
renewed his suit. only 10 ma Week pppossi'hso"
SIN nrmor. Since persuasion was unaVaiIhg ochu-
felt himself compelled TO INVOKE that curious
provision OF the German law by whIch u,e latne'
can be made TO defend IN court his refusal 70 con,
sent TO his daughters marriage. TIE case dragged
ON year. with the result that week. ooJccuonss
were pronounced insufficient and Schumann ana
Clara Week were married on September H. SW;
The marriage VAS singularly happy one. Inc
influence OF his wife on Schumanns creative nc
tv!ty as an inspiration ana ihcehN. Dom -,
and after their union Is well known TO students OF
the composers life and works. ana az an lnttpette
OF his pianoforte compositions Nine. Schumahh uid
him invaluable service By bringing them 10 puoliS
notice IN the days when they were litte Known ana
the original bent OF his genius was unapprecateu
She continued her career as pianist pracuctiIy uH
Interrupted after her marriage. For year ana
half they remained In Leipslc. her name appearing
occasionally on the Gewandhaus programmes ana
elsewhere In 1872 the couple made "A tour TO Ham
burg while she continued alone as FAR as Copeh-
which brought her great trtumphs. In that year
they took up their abode In Dresden, and in 1889 In
falling. and FOR several years his wifes domestic
life one OF the greatest Devotion, care am
anxiety. though her career as an artist was not
seriously Interrupted thereby.
Schumann's death took place In 1886, near Bonn
mann rettrnlng from her successful first appear
anre In rngiand ,nsi before his last breath After
that occurrence, at once severe blow and re-
lief from suffering Nine schumann continued her
ria with little interruption till few years before
her death She frequently appeared IN Engand
and gained great popularity there In 1878 she
accepted the post OF principal teacher OF the piano.
forte In Frankfort conservatory and taught there
with distinction for several years III,
Nine Schumann was said TO be a pianist OF nigh
great technical accomplishment. which latter she
retained even 10 an advanced age: her power or
especially admired. Her repertory was large and
comprehensive comprising works OF many schools;
with especial prediction She was also a com,
poser. although her works are at this day az good
her husbands Opus 81. and ne used themes OF her
composition in his Impromptu Op. g. the andantlno
OF his sonata Op II, and Gas motto Jthe 'Davids
bundlertHnZe. Op 6.