Discuss the life and work of the woman about whom the following was said: ?[In her] woman and artist were indissolubly one, so that we could not say this belongs to one part of her and that to another
C la ra S ch um an n, a g e 3 8, M unic h . P hoto gra p h b y F ra n z H an fsta e n gl, 1 857. R obert- S ch um an n- H au s, Z w ic k au .
2 CLA RA S C H UM AN N The A rtis t a n d th e W om an Rev is e d E dit io n N AN CY B . R EIC H Corn ell U niv ers it y P re ss IT H AC A A N D L O NDO N 3 In m em ory o f Hask ell A . R eic h , 1926–1 983 4 Con te n ts Lis t o f I llu str a tio n s Pre fa c e t o t h e R ev is e d E dit io n Pre fa c e t o t h e F ir st E dit io n Ack n ow le d gm en ts t o t h e R ev is e d E dit io n Ack n ow le d gm en ts t o t h e F ir st E dit io n Chro n olo gy Abbre v ia tio n s P ART I .
The L ife o f C la ra S ch u m an n 1. P re lu de: T he W ie c k s o f L eip zig 2. C la ra ’s C are er B eg in s 3. R obert S ch um an n a n d t h e W ie c k s 4. T he B re ak w it h W ie c k 5. T he M arria g e 6. T he D re sd en Y ears 7. D üsse ld o rf a n d t h e D eath o f R obert S ch um an n 8. T he L ate r Y ears P ART I I.
Them es fr o m th e L ife o f C la ra S ch u m an n 9. C la ra S ch um an n a n d J o h an nes B ra h m s 10. O th er F rie n ds a n d C on te m po ra rie s 11. C la ra S ch um an n a s C om po se r a n d E dit o r 12. T he C on cert A rtis t 13. C la ra S ch um an n a s S tu den t a n d T eac h er Cata lo gu e o f W ork s Note s Bib li o gra p h y 5 Illu str a tio n s Cla ra S ch um an n, 1 857 f r o n tis p ie c e Maria n ne T ro m li t z , J u ne 7 , 1 816 Frie d ric h W ie c k ’s le tte r t o M aria n ne W ie c k , N ovem ber 7 , 1 825 Cover o f C la ra ’s d ia ry Cla ra W ie c k , a g e 8 Cla ra W ie c k ’s p ia n o, G ew an dh au s c o n cert, O cto ber 2 0, 1 828 Pro gra m , C la ra W ie c k ’s f ir st G ew an dh au s c o n cert Cla ra W ie c k , 1 832 Cla ra W ie c k , 1 835 Robert S ch um an n, 1 839 Cla ra W ie c k , 1 840 Frie d ric h W ie c k , c a. 1 853 Cla ra a n d R obert S ch um an n, 1 847 Six S ch um an n c h ild re n , 1 855 Cla ra S ch um an n w it h M arie Marie S ch um an n Eli s e S ch um an n Ju li e S ch um an n Ludw ig S ch um an n Ferd in an d S ch um an n Eugen ie S ch um an n Feli x S ch um an n Cla ra S ch um an n, 1 878 Cla ra S ch um an n, 1 854 Jo h an nes B ra h m s, 1 853 Con cert p ro gra m , M arc h 1 2, 1 891 Con cert p ro gra m , J a n uary 1 3, 1 833 Auto gra p h , “ V olk sli e d ” 6 Pre fa ce t o t h e R ev is e d E dit io n I n th e f if te en y ears sin ce th e f ir st e d it io n o f th is b io gra p h y w as p u bli s h ed , in te re st i n C la ra S ch um an n h as ex p lo ded . P erfo rm an ces, ed it io n s, an d re c o rd in gs o f h er m usic , film s, dra m as, ra d io an d TV pro gra m s in sp ir e d by her li f e , pia n o c o m petit io n s in h er n am e, d is se rta tio n s, sc h ola rly p ap ers, artic le s in th e sc h ola rly a n d p o pu la r p re sse s, p ro gra m n ote s, p u bli c atio n o f le tte rs, b io gra p h ie s in se v era l l a n gu ag es a n d r e v is io n is t b io gra p h ie s, a ll a tte st to th e s ig n if ic an ce o f a n d f a sc in atio n w it h C la ra W ie c k S ch um an n a s a n a rtis t a n d a s a w om an .
So m e p art o f t h e f a sc in atio n w as g en era te d b y t h e f e m in is t m ovem en t, w hic h s tir re d t h e d em an d f o r c o u rse s in w om en ’s s tu die s, w om en ’s h is to ry , a n d g en der s tu die s n ow f o u nd in u niv ersit ie s a ro u nd t h e g lo be. C la ra S ch um an n— care er w om an a n d s in gle m oth er— was a n id eal s u bje c t f o r s tu den ts in te re ste d in w om en , h is to ry , a n d m usic . I n deed , m an y o f t h e le c tu re in vit a tio n s I r e c eiv ed t h e f ir st f e w y ears a fte r t h e p u bli c atio n o f t h e b o ok w ere f r o m g ro u ps m ore in te re ste d in w om en ’s is su es t h an in m usic h is to ry . A s a w are n ess o f h er a c co m pli s h m en ts g re w , h ow ev er, s h e in cre asin gly c am e t o b e s e en n ot o n ly a s a s y m bo l o f w om en a c h ie v ers b u t a s a n a c k n ow le d ged c o m po se r o f t h e n ew r o m an tic s c h ool o f t h e e arly R om an tic p erio d a n d a t o w erin g in flu en ce o n p ia n is ts in t h e n in ete en th c en tu ry .
The n eed f o r a n ew e d it io n h as g ro w n m ore p re ssin g a s a r e su lt o f t h e p u bli c atio n o f a v arie ty o f s ig n if ic an t d o cu m en ts — le tte rs, m ed ic al r e p o rts , a n d m usic — th at w ere in p riv ate h an ds a n d u nav aila b le w hen I w as w ork in g o n t h e f ir st e d it io n . T he p u bli c atio n in 1 994 o f e x cerp ts o f t h e m ed ic al lo g k ep t b y R obert S ch um an n’s p h ysic ia n s in E nden ic h , C la ra S ch um an n’s c o rre sp o n den ce w it h D r.
H ärte l o f t h e p u bli s h ers B re it k o pf & H ärte l ( p u bli s h ed in 1 997) a n d w it h t h e L is t f a m ily ( p u bli s h ed in 1 996), a n d t h e le tte rs a n d d ia rie s o f h er g ra n ddau gh te r J u li e ( p u bli s h ed in 1 990) w ere a m on g t h e d o cu m en ts t h at, t h ou gh t h ey d id n ot c h an ge m y b asic c o n cep tio n s o f t h e c h ara c te r a n d p erso n ali t y o f C la ra S ch um an n, h av e i n fo rm ed t h is r e v is e d e d it io n a n d e n ric h ed m y u ndersta n din g a n d a d m ir a tio n o f t h is r e m ark ab le w om an .
7 The m an y n ew p u bli c atio n s o f t h e m usic o f C la ra W ie c k S ch um an n, e sp ec ia lly th e e d it io n s b y G erd N au hau s, J a n in a K la sse n , a n d J o ac h im D ra h eim , a n d t h e in cre asin g n um ber o f g en uin ely a rtis tic p erfo rm an ces o f h er w ork s h av e le d t o a re asse ssm en t o f h er a s a c o m po se r. T hou gh I d o n ot a n aly ze h er w ork s in t h is b o ok, it is m y h ope t h at t h e e x te n ded C ata lo gu e o f W ork s, w hic h li s ts n ew e d it io n s, a n d th e c it a tio n s t o t h e s c h ola rly li t e ra tu re w ill e n ab le p erfo rm ers a n d li s te n ers t o lo cate her c o m po sit io n s a n d t h e n ew s tu die s t h ey h av e in sp ir e d .
The c en te n ary o f t h e d eath o f C la ra S ch um an n in 1 996 w as t h e o ccasio n f o r man y f e stiv als a n d c o n fe re n ces a t w hic h s c h ola rs, y o u ng a n d o ld , p re se n te d t h e la te st f in din gs o n t h e m ult if a c ete d m usic ia n . T he p u bli c atio n s t h at e n su ed ( c it e d in th e b ib li o gra p h y) h av e a ls o f a c ili t a te d t h is e d it io n , a n d it is h oped t h ey w ill d is p el th e m yth s a n d le g en ds t h at c o n tin ue t o p ro li f e ra te .
To t h e f r e q u en t c o m men ts a b o u t t h e “ lo vely r o m an tic ” s to ry o f C la ra a n d Robert S ch um an n, I c an a n sw er t h at it w as in deed a r o m an tic s to ry , b u t it w as o n ly on e a sp ec t o f a lo n g a n d d if fic u lt li f e . T oo o fte n t h e t r a g ed ie s e n du re d b y C la ra Sch um an n a re f o rg o tte n : t h e f in al h eartb re ak in g y ears o f R obert S ch um an n’s li f e ; th e p re ssu re s o f c arry in g o n a p u bli c c are er t o p ay f o r t h e h osp it a li z atio n o f a men ta lly ill h usb an d a n d t o s u ppo rt a f a m ily ; t h e b u rd en s o f a w id o w r a is in g a n d ed u catin g s e v en c h ild re n r a n gin g in a g e f r o m t w o t o f o u rte en ; t h e d eath s a n d illn esse s o f f o u r a d u lt c h ild re n . I n 1 985 I w ro te o f a li f e o f t r iu m ph a n d t r a g ed y, bu t n ow I r e c o gn iz e t h at t h e t r a g ed ie s s u ffe re d b y t h is c o u ra g eo u s w om an f a r ou tw eig h ed t h e t r iu m ph s, a n d t h at h er li f e c an m ore a c cu ra te ly b e d esc rib ed a s a sto ry o f g re at t a le n t, s tr u ggle , a n d s u rv iv al.
Poli t ic al e v en ts o f t h e p ast d ec ad e h av e g re atly a id ed t h e p re p ara tio n o f t h is re v is e d e d it io n . A lm ost a ll t h e s o u rc es u se d f o r t h e f ir st e d it io n w ere in t h e li b ra rie s an d a rc h iv es o f t h e f o rm er G erm an D em ocra tic R ep u bli c , a n d t h ou gh I w as gra n te d e n tr e e t o t h em o n m y m an y r e se arc h t r ip s t o t h at c o u ntr y a n d f o u nd li b ra ria n s a n d a rc h iv is ts u niv ersa lly f r ie n dly a n d c o opera tiv e, t h e s a m e c o u ld n ot alw ay s b e s a id o f t h e a g en cie s t h at g o vern ed s tu dy a n d r e se arc h . P hoto co pyin g w as unav aila b le , s o d o cu m en ts a n d m usic h ad t o b e c o pie d b y h an d. S earc h es a t b o rd er cro ssin gs b ec am e e x p la n ato ry o rd eals . F or t h is e d it io n , I h ad t h e g re at p riv ile g e o f ac cessin g C la ra W ie c k ’s g ir lh ood d ia rie s (J u gen dta ge-b u ch er) o n m y c o m pu te r, a lu xu ry u nth in kab le in t h e e arly 1 980s. T he a c cess t o s o u rc es a n d t h e p u bli c atio n o f th e R obert S ch um an n Tageb ü ch er a n d t h e f ir st t w o v o lu m es o f t h e R obert a n d C la ra Sch um an n Brie fw ech se l a ls o h av e m ad e t h e t a sk o f c o rre c tin g e rro rs a n d f illi n g g ap s much e asie r.
My o w n r e se arc h a fte r t h e p u bli c atio n o f t h e f ir st e d it io n h as c o n tr ib u te d t o t h is re v is io n a g re ate r a w are n ess o f t h e im pac t o f c la ss a n d g en der o n m usic h is to ry , o f Cla ra W ie c k S ch um an n’s r e la tio n sh ip w it h t h e M en dels so h n f a m ily , a n d o f t h e 8 en du rin g in flu en ce o f C la ra S ch um an n o n p ia n is ts a n d p ia n is m t h ro u gh ou t t h e world .
I w as f o rtu nate t o h av e m an y d o ors o pen ed t o m e a fte r t h e p u bli c atio n o f Cla ra Sch u m an n: T he A rtis t a n d th e W om an in 1 985 a n d it s p u bli c atio n in E ngla n d in 1 985 an d 1 987 ( G olla n cz a n d O xfo rd U niv ersit y P re ss), in J a p an in 1 987 (O ngak u N o Tom o S h a), a n d in G erm an y in 1 991 ( R ow oh lt V erla g ). I m et S ch um an n r e la tiv es, sc h ola rs, a n d m usic lo vers f r o m f o u r c o n tin en ts w ho h av e s h are d w it h m e t h eir kn ow le d ge o f a n d e x p erie n ces w it h C la ra a n d R obert S ch um an n a n d t h eir m usic .
Their h elp a n d t h e g en ero sit y o f f r ie n ds a n d c o lle ag u es w hose in te re st c o n tin ually re k in dle d m y e n th usia sm a n d e x cit e m en t f o r t h is p ro je c t h av e e n ab le d m e t o pre se n t a m ore c o m ple te p o rtr a it o f C la ra S ch um an n.
N AN CY B . R EIC H Hastin gs- o n -H udso n , N ew Y ork 9 Pre fa ce t o t h e F ir s t E dit io n T hou gh m uch h as b een w rit te n ab o u t C la ra S ch um an n, sh e is still, m ore th an 1 65 y ears a fte r h er b ir th , k n ow n t o u s o n ly t h ro u gh t h e e y es a n d m in ds o f h er o w n e ra . S h e is v ie w ed e v en to day a s h er n in ete en th -c en tu ry c o n te m po ra rie s sa w h er— a s a sa in t o r “ p rie ste ss,” as a d ed ic ate d w if e , m oth er, an d m usic ia n . In se ek in g a m odern a p pro ac h to th is g re at a rtis t, I h av e e x am in ed n ew so u rc es a n d r e ex am in ed t h e o ld . T his stu dy h as d eep en ed m y re g ard fo r th e a rtis t a n d w om an ; it h as a ls o c o n vin ced m e th at sh e is w orth y o f th e tr u th . S u ch a q u est c alls fo r th e to ols o f m usic o lo gic al sc h ola rsh ip , th e in sig h ts o f p sy ch olo gy , a n d se n sit iv it y to th e h is to ry o f w om en a n d t h eir p la c e in n in ete en th -c en tu ry m usic al h is to ry .
All o f h er b io gra p h ie s, e v en t h e m ost r e c en t ( p u bli s h ed in E ngli s h , F re n ch , G erm an , D an is h , a n d s e v era l o th er la n gu ag es— te stim on y t o t h e c o n tin uin g in te re st i n C la ra S ch um an n), h av e b een b ase d o n B erth old L it z m an n’s Cla ra S ch u m an n: E in K unstle rle b en , p u bli s h ed b etw een 1 902 a n d 1 908, a n d o n h er c o rre sp o n den ce w it h J o h an nes B ra h m s, w hic h w as p u bli s h ed in 1 927.
Lit z m an n’s t h re e-v o lu m e, 1 ,4 59-p ag e b io gra p h y, w rit te n u nder t h e s u perv is io n o f M arie , t h e e ld est S ch um an n d au gh te r, a n d a u th oriz e d b y t h e S ch um an n f a m ily , i s a m ajo r s o u rc e f o r s c h ola rs o f n in ete en th -c en tu ry m usic , a n d in deed h as b een a m ajo r s o u rc e f o r m y o w n b o ok. L it z m an n, a li t e ra ry s c h ola r a n d f r ie n d o f t h e S ch um an n f a m ily , s if te d t h ro u gh t h ou sa n ds o f le tte rs a n d a ll o f t h e d ia rie s o f R obert a n d C la ra S ch um an n a s w ell a s c o u rt o rd ers, t r a v el n ote b o oks, h ou se h old b o oks, o ld p ro gra m s, m usic a u to gra p h s— all t h e p ap ers t h at R obert S ch um an n m etic u lo u sly f ile d a n d t r e asu re d . T he t w o v o lu m es o f le tte rs e x ch an ged b y C la ra S ch um an n a n d B ra h m s b etw een 1 853 a n d 1 896, t o w hic h L it z m an n a lo n e w as g ra n te d a c cess, r e m ain s a p re c io u s r e c o rd o f t h e li v es o f t w o g re at m usic ia n s.
L it z m an n’s o bje c tiv it y , u ndersta n din g, a n d w arm th w ere in n o w ay r e d u ced b y t h e T eu to n ic t h oro u gh ness w it h w hic h h e p erfo rm ed h is t a sk . T he m an y E ngli s h a d m ir e rs o f t h e a rt o f C la ra S ch um an n e ag erly a w ait e d t r a n sla tio n s o f t h e le tte rs a n d o f L it z m an n’s b io gra p h y; t h ey w ere p u bli s h ed a l most s im ult a n eo u sly w it h t h e G erm an e d it io n s. U nfo rtu nate ly , G ra c e H ad o w ’s a d m ir a b le t r a n sla tio n s o f t h e 10 bio gra p h y ( 1 913) a n d le tte rs ( 1 927) a re s h arp ly a b rid ged v ersio n s o f t h e o rig in als an d t h us o m it m an y d eta ils v it a l t o a c o m ple te u ndersta n din g o f t h e w om an a n d her t im e.
A r e v ie w o f t h e o rig in al s o u rc es, m ore o ver, r e v eals m an y n uan ces o verlo oked b y Lit z m an n, w ho o m it te d m uch in fo rm atio n , p erh ap s t o p ro te c t t h e p erso n s in vo lv ed or p erh ap s b ec au se h e b eli e v ed it w as n ot w orth c o n sid era tio n . T he t r a n sla tio n s su ffe r e v en m ore , le ss f r o m t h e la n gu ag e c o n versio n t h an f r o m t h e s h orte n in g o f th e b io gra p h y b y o n e-th ir d a n d o f t h e c o rre sp o n den ce b y h alf . H ad o w h ew s c lo se to t h e f a c ts , b u t s o m uch is o m it te d t h at s e rio u s r e ad ers c an not d ep en d o n t h e tr a n sla tio n s. T he s a m e c an b e s a id o f m an y o th er t r a n sla tio n s o f S ch um an n s o u rc es.
For t h ese r e aso n s, I h av e u se d o n ly t h e G erm an p u bli c atio n s a n d p ro vid ed m y o w n tr a n sla tio n s f o r a ll m ate ria l q u ote d . A ll c it a tio n s a re t o t h e G erm an w ork s. ( T he Mem oir s o f E ugen ie S ch um an n a re t h e o n ly e x cep tio n , f o r r e aso n s m ad e c le ar in t h e bib li o gra p h y.) I w as m ost f o rtu nate in b ein g a b le t o c o n su lt t h e f ir st v o lu m e ( 1 832– 38) o f t h e r e c en tly p u bli s h ed c rit ic al e d it io n o f t h e le tte rs o f C la ra a n d R obert Sch um an n, e d it e d b y E va W eis sw eile r. W here v er p o ssib le , I h av e r e fe rre d t o t h is vo lu m e r a th er t h an t o L it z m an n’s e d it io n , a s it o ffe rs a n u nab rid ged t r a n sc rip tio n o f th e c o rre sp o n den ce. T he v o lu m es c o verin g t h e la te r y ears a re n ot y et a v aila b le , a n d as I w as u nab le t o c o n su lt t h e s u rv iv in g o rig in al le tte rs, I h av e r e li e d ( c au tio u sly ) o n Lit z m an n a n d o n W olf g an g B oettic h er’s Rob ert S ch u m an n in s e in en S ch rift e n u nd Brie fe n f o r q u ota tio n s f r o m le tte rs a fte r 1 838.
A r e m ark ab le s e rie s o f s c h ola rly p u bli c atio n s o f S ch um an n d o cu m en ts f r o m t h e arc h iv es o f R obert- S ch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au , h as b een a p pearin g s in ce 1 971.
These d o cu m en ts , m etic u lo u sly e d it e d a c co rd in g t o c o n te m po ra ry s c h ola rly pro ced u re s, h av e c h an ged t h e c o u rse o f S ch um an n r e se arc h . R ead ers a re n o lo n ger li m it e d t o f a m ily -au th oriz e d p u bli c atio n s o r t o s tu die s f la w ed b y t h e p re ju dic es o f th eir e d it o rs. T hro u gh t h e c o u rte sy o f M artin S ch oppe a n d G erd N au hau s o f Robert- S ch um an n-H au s, I h av e h ad t h e g o od f o rtu ne t o s tu dy m an y o f t h e do cu m en ts — th e h ou se h old b o oks a n d “ m arria g e d ia ry ,” f o r e x am ple — befo re pu bli c atio n , a n d t o r e ad o th ers, in clu din g t h e d ia ry o f C la ra W ie c k a n d t h e W ie c k an d S ch um an n f a m ily p ap ers, w hose p u bli c atio n is s c h ed u le d m an y y ears h en ce. I hav e a ls o e x am in ed m an y h undre d s o f le tte rs s to re d in a rc h iv es in E uro pe a n d t h e Unit e d S ta te s, a s w ell a s p u bli s h ed c o lle c tio n s o f c o rre sp o n den ce in vo lv in g t h e Sch um an ns. A s a c o n se q u en ce I h av e g ain ed a n e n orm ou s r e sp ec t f o r L it z m an n b u t als o a n a d ded d im en sio n o f u ndersta n din g o f t h e w om an w ho w as a rtis t, w if e , moth er, t e ac h er, e d it o r, a n d a c re ativ e p artn er o f F rie d ric h W ie c k , R obert Sch um an n, a n d J o h an nes B ra h m s.
Sin ce t h e r e ad er m ay o bta in f r o m L it z m an n ( o r t h e H ad o w t r a n sla tio n ) a d ay - by-d ay c h ro n olo gy o f C la ra S ch um an n’s li f e , I h av e n ot a tte m pte d t o d u pli c ate t h is 11 deta il o r r e p eate d m an y o f t h e le g en ds f a m ili a r t o r e ad ers o f t h e S ch um an n li t e ra tu re . A lt h ou gh P art I is o rg an iz e d c h ro n olo gic ally , I h av e f o cu se d o n w hat I se e a s k ey is su es in t h e li f e o f C la ra S ch um an n— her c lo se b o n d w it h h er fa th er, h er re la tio n sh ip w it h h er m oth er, h er e d u catio n a n d t h e d ev elo pm en t o f h er unpara lle le d c are er, h er a g o n iz in g s tr u ggle f o r in dep en den ce, t h e c h oic es s h e w as fo rc ed t o m ak e b etw een f a m ily a n d c are er, h er r e sp o n se s t o m oth erh ood, t h e ch an gin g b ala n ce in h er f a m ily li f e , a n d h er s tr a te g ie s f o r c o pin g w it h t h e illn ess, su ic id e a tte m pt, a n d h osp it a li z atio n o f h er h usb an d. D urin g t h e f o rty y ears le ft t o her a fte r h is d eath s h e b u ilt a n d m ain ta in ed a c are er in E uro pe a n d E ngla n d s e c o n d to n on e. T his r ic h li f e I h av e t r e ate d in P art I I, w here f o u r m ajo r a re as o f h er li f e are e x p lo re d in d eta il: h er f r ie n dsh ip s, h er c re ativ e w ork , h er li f e o n t h e c o n cert sta g e, a n d h er a c tiv it ie s a s a t e ac h er. I n e ac h o f t h ese c h ap te rs I h av e a tte m pte d t o an sw er t h e m an y q u estio n s r a is e d b y m usic ia n s in r e g ard t o h er c o n tr ib u tio n s a n d in flu en ce, t o o ffe r in fo rm atio n t h at h as n ot p re v io u sly b een a v aila b le , a n d t o p la c e Cla ra S ch um an n in p ersp ec tiv e in t h e m usic al li f e o f t h e n in ete en th c en tu ry .
Read ers m ay b e s u rp ris e d t o s e e B ra h m s r e le g ate d t o o n e c h ap te r in h er li f e ; it w as a most s ig n if ic an t c h ap te r, t o b e s u re , b u t it w as n ot t h e c o n su m in g c en tr a l re la tio n sh ip t h at s o m an y p eo ple h av e s u sp ec te d .
My s e arc h f o r m ate ria ls f o r t h is b io gra p h y b eg an in ad verte n tly : in 1 973 I c am e ac ro ss t h e u npu bli s h ed c o rre sp o n den ce ( 1 858– 96) b etw een C la ra S ch um an n a n d Ern st R udo rff, w ho h ad b een h er s tu den t f o r a s h ort t im e a n d w ho la te r t a u gh t h er dau gh te r E ugen ie . T here w ere m an y t ie s b etw een F ra u S ch um an n a n d t h e y o u nger man . A s h ead o f t h e p ia n o d ep artm en t o f t h e B erli n H och sc h ule f ü r M usik , Rudo rff w as a m em ber o f t h e in ner c ir c le o f m usic ia n s a n d f r ie n ds o n w hom s h e most d ep en ded . T he R udo rff c o rre sp o n den ce w as a s ta rtin g p o in t; f r o m t h ere o th er co lle c tio n s o f p u bli s h ed a n d u npu bli s h ed c o rre sp o n den ce g av e m e in sig h ts t o t h e perso n ali t y a n d c h ara c te r o f C la ra S ch um an n n ot y ie ld ed b y L it z m an n.
Majo r s o u rc es f o r t h is s tu dy a re li s te d in t h e b ib li o gra p h y, b u t a f e w d o cu m en ts , pu bli s h ed a n d u npu bli s h ed , w hic h h av e b een p artic u la rly m ean in gfu l m ust b e men tio n ed h ere . A ll t h e p ap ers a n d m ate ria ls in R obert- S ch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au , partic u la rly t h e u npu bli s h ed d ia rie s o f C la ra W ie c k , o ffe r t h e r e se arc h er a w ealt h o f pre v io u sly u nkn ow n in fo rm atio n — nam es, p la c es, d ate s— as w ell a s a n ew perc ep tio n o f t h e c h ara c te r a n d p erso n ali t y o f C la ra a n d o f F rie d ric h W ie c k , h er fa th er. T he le tte rs o f F rie d ric h W ie c k , e d it e d b y K ath e W alc h -S ch um an n a n d n ot av aila b le in t h eir e n tir e ty u ntil 1 968, p ro vid e a c le are r p ic tu re o f t h e m an , a f ig u re not t r e ate d w it h p artic u la r s y m path y b y L it z m an n a n d n ev er r e v eale d in h is t r u e li g h t. J o se p h J o ac h im ’s c o rre sp o n den ce w it h B ra h m s, R udo rff, a n d C la ra Sch um an n, t h e le tte rs o f t h e J o ac h im f a m ily , t h e S ch um an n f a m ily co rre sp o n den ce, t h e F erd in an d H ille r c o rre sp o n den ce, a n d t h e c o rre sp o n den ce 12 betw een C la ra S ch um an n a n d E rn st R udo rff h av e illu m in ate d m usic a n d c o n cert li f e o f t h e n in ete en th c en tu ry a s w ell a s t h e p erso n al r e la tio n sh ip s o f a ll in vo lv ed .
So m e o f t h e le tte rs t h at p ro ved m ost s ig n if ic an t t o m e a p peare d in a rtic le s in lo n g-fo rg o tte n G erm an m usic p erio dic als : t h e w on derfu l le tte rs o f C la ra S ch um an n to E m ili e S te ffe n s ( C hap te r 6 ), f o r e x am ple , a n d h er le tte r t o S elm ar Bag ge (C hap te r 1 0). O th er w rit in gs f r o m w ell- k n ow n v o lu m es o verlo oked b y p re v io u s bio gra p h ers— a d esc rip tio n o f C la ra in 1 854 b y H ed w ig S alo m on ( C hap te r 7 ), a le tte r o f C la ra t o E m ili e L is t a b o u t h er s ix te en th b ir th day p arty ( C hap te r 4 ), a n in dig n an t le tte r t o H ille r a b o u t h er t r e atm en t in D üsse ld o rf ( C hap te r 7 ), a le tte r fr o m A m ali e J o ac h im t o h er h usb an d in 1 872 ( C hap te r 8 ), a n d e n tr ie s f r o m Ruppert B ec k er’s d ia ry ( C hap te r 7) —re v eal a m ore h um an C la ra S ch um an n, a wom an w ho c o m es t o li f e t h ro u gh h er o w n w ord s. T hese d o cu m en ts h av e b een tr a n sla te d , m ost f o r t h e f ir st t im e, a n d m an y a re g iv en in t h eir e n tir e ty .
Stu den ts o f w om en ’s h is to ry k n ow t h at f e m ale in flu en ces, e v en in t h e li v es o f pro m in en t w om en , a re u su ally o verlo oked . T his h as c erta in ly b een t h e c ase in stu die s o f C la ra S ch um an n. R obert S ch um an n p la y s a n in ord in ate ly la rg e r o le in most b io gra p h ie s o f C la ra S ch um an n w rit te n b y b o th m en a n d w om en ; a n d t h e pla c e o f C la ra W ie c k ’s m oth er, M aria n ne, a n d h er s ig n if ic an ce in t h e li f e o f t h e yo u ng p ia n is t h as n ev er b een e x p lo re d . I n deed , M aria n ne is v ir tu ally ig n ore d b y Lit z m an n o n ce s h e h as b o rn e W ie c k ’s c h ild re n a n d le ft h is h om e. P erh ap s t h e e arly div o rc e w as a n e m barra ssm en t t o t h e S ch um an n f a m ily a n d t h us t o L it z m an n. I t is my h ope t h at w it h t h is s tu dy M aria n ne B arg ie l h as b een r e sto re d t o h er r ig h tf u l pla c e in t h e s to ry o f h er d au gh te r’s li f e . I n t h is t a sk I w as a id ed b y H erm a S ta m m- Barg ie l, w ho k in dly s h are d p ic tu re s a n d f a m ily d o cu m en ts o f t h e B arg ie l f a m ily wit h m e.
Locatin g t h e c o m po sit io n s o f C la ra S ch um an n h as n ot b een a n e asy t a sk , b u t here , t o o, t h e a rc h iv es a t R obert- S ch um an n-H au s h av e p ro vid ed v alu ab le m ate ria ls .
The c o lle c tio n o f a u to gra p h s a n d p rin ts o f C la ra S ch um an n’s m usic in Z w ic k au an d t h e e x cit in g d is c o very in t h e S ta ats b ib li o th ek , B erli n , o f h er s o n g a u to gra p h s co lle c te d in to o n e n ote b o ok ( li s te d in t h e C ata lo gu e o f W ork s), a s w ell a s R obert Sch um an n’s in str u m en ta tio n o f t h e la st m ovem en t o f h er c o n certo , e n ab le d m e t o date h er w ork s a n d p re p are a m ore c o m ple te c ata lo gu e o f h er w ork s t h an a n y t h at has a p peare d p re v io u sly .
Music al e x am ple s in C hap te r 1 1 a re t a k en f r o m t h e f ir st e d it io n s o f C la ra Sch um an n’s w ork s a n d f r o m t h e D over r e p rin t ( 1 972) o f Rob ert S ch u m an n’s W erk e , ed it e d b y C la ra S ch um an n ( L eip zig : B re it k o pf & H ärte l, 1 879– 93). E xam ple 7 is fr o m Jo h an nes B ra h m s: S am tli c h e W erk e , e d it e d f o r t h e G ese lls c h aft d er Musik fr e u nde, V ie n na, b y H an s G al a n d E use b iu s M an dycze w sk i ( L eip zig :
Bre it k o pf & H ärte l, 1 926– 28). E xam ple s 8 a n d 1 0 a re f r o m S ch um an n, Im pro m ptu s , 13 ed it e d b y H . J .K öhle r ( L eip zig : P ete rs, 1 979), 2 9.
The s p elli n gs o f n am es a n d m usic al t it le s v arie d c o n sid era b ly in t h e n in ete en th cen tu ry . C la ra S ch um an n, f o r e x am ple , a lw ay s s p elle d h er n am e w it h a C w here as Robert S ch um an n u se d b o th C a n d K in w rit in g h is w if e ’s n am e. I h av e a tte m pte d to e sta b li s h c o n sis te n cy in t h e s p elli n g o f n am es b y u sin g t h e s p elli n g g iv en b y t h e in div id u al h im se lf o r h erse lf o r in o ffic ia l d o cu m en ts o f t h e p erio d.
In t h eir s e arc h f o r g re at w om en o f t h e p ast, f e m in is ts h av e r a lli e d r o u nd t h e fig u re o f C la ra S ch um an n. I t m ust b e p o in te d o u t, h ow ev er, t h at s h e w as n ot a fe m in is t in t h e m odern s e n se o f t h e w ord . S h e h ad li t tle in te re st in w om en ’s rig h ts or t h e s tr u ggle f o r r e c o gn it io n t h at o th er c re ativ e G erm an w om en w ere ju st beg in nin g t o la u nch in t h e m id -n in ete en th c en tu ry . S h e c o n cen tr a te d o n h er o w n care er a n d h er m an y o bli g atio n s a s s h e e n deav o re d t o r e c o n cile t h e c o n fli c ts t h at in ev it a b ly a ris e w hen a w om an s te p s o u t o f h er c o n ven tio n al p la c e.
Cla ra S ch um an n w as a lw ay s h er o w n p erso n , p erc eiv in g h erse lf a s a n a rtis t w ho was a w om an , a n d e te rn ally g ra te fu l f o r t h e a rt t h at w as t o s u sta in h er t h ro u gh a li f e tim e o f t r a g ed y a n d t r iu m ph .
N AN CY B . R EIC H Hastin gs- o n -H udso n , N ew Y ork 14 A ck n ow le d gm en ts t o t h e R ev is e d E dit io n I am gra te fu l to th e fr ie n ds an d co lle ag u es w ho w ere so h elp fu l w hen I w as p re p arin g th e fir st e d it io n a n d w ere th ere fo r m e a s I b eg an th e ta sk o f a sse m bli n g n ew m ate ria l f o r t h is r e v is e d e d it io n .
Gerd a L ed ere r, H erb ert W eb er, a n d J o se f E is in ger h av e g en ero u sly o ffe re d e x p ert a ssis ta n ce w it h t r a n sc rip tio n s a n d t r a n sla tio n s. I a m e sp ec ia lly g ra te fu l t o D r.
E is in ger f o r h is t r a n sla tio n s o f t h e r e v ie w s in t h e C ata lo gu e, a t a sk I c o u ld n ot h av e u nderta k en w it h ou t h is h elp .
My t h an ks t o t h e s ta ff o f t h e M usic L ib ra ry o f C olu m bia U niv ersit y ; S p ec ia l C olle c tio n s, O berli n C olle g e L ib ra ry ; T heo do re F in ney M usic C olle c tio n , U niv ersit y o f P it ts b u rg h ; R ig b ie T urn er o f t h e P ie rp o n t M org an L ib ra ry ; B ern hard A ppel a n d M atth ia s W en dt o f t h e R obert- S ch um an n-F orsc h ungsste lle , D usse l- d o rf.
I n ge H erm str ü w er o f t h e H ein ric h -H ein e-In stit u t a n d M artin S ch oppe, f o rm er d ir e c to r o f R obert- S ch um an n-H au s, b o th s c h ola rs w ho w ere u nfa ili n gly h elp fu l, h av e d ie d in r e c en t y ears; t h ey a re s o re ly m is se d .
It is a p le asu re t o a c k n ow le d ge t h e k in dn ess o f G erd N au hau s a n d t h e s ta ff o f R obert- S ch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au . I a ls o w is h t o e x p re ss m y a p pre c ia tio n t o G usta v A bel, J o h n D av erio , J a m es D eav ille , C la u dia D e V rie s, J o ac h im D ra h eim , V ale rie G oertz e n , H elm a K ald ew ey , J a n in a K la sse n , C la u dia M ac d o n ald , M arg it M cC ork le , M on ic a S te eg m an n, a n d M aria Z du nia k f o r t h eir c o m men ts , s u ggestio n s, a n d g en ero sit y in s h arin g in fo rm atio n . A gain , m an y t h an ks t o M i- W on K im f o r h er r e ad in ess t o u nderta k e s till m ore m usic al e x am ple s a n d t o B arb ara S ala z ar, w ho e d it e d b o th e d it io n s w it h s k ill a n d p atie n ce.
Frie n ds a n d f a m ily h av e b een s u ppo rtiv e a n d e n co u ra g in g. M y t h an ks t o A nna B urto n , M .D ., f o r h er w is e c o u nse l; t o S ty ra A vin s f o r m an y s tim ula tin g d is c u ssio n s; t o A drie n ne F rie d B lo ck a n d J u dit h T ic k f o r a d vic e, h ope, a n d c o n fid en ce; t o m y d au gh te r S u sa n na f o r lo vin g in te re st a n d c o n cern ; a n d t o M au ric e M . R ap po rt f o r h is p atie n t u ndersta n din g d u rin g t h e m an y m on th s o f w ork o n t h is e d it io n .
15 N. B . R .
16 Ack n ow le d gm en ts t o t h e F ir s t E dit io n M y pro fo u ndest gra tit u de go es to A nna B urto n , M .D ., fo r her fr ie n dsh ip , c o n tin uin g s u ppo rt a n d s y m path y, a n d t h e s tim ula tin g a n d f r u it f u l c o lla b o ra tio n w e h av e h ad o ver m an y y ears. A n a c co m pli s h ed m usic ia n a n d p ra c tic in g p sy ch oan aly st, s h e w as a tr u e sile n t p artn er in th e c re atio n o f th is b o ok. D r. B urto n n ev er sp are d h erse lf in h elp in g m e th in k th ro u gh an d u ndersta n d p ro ble m atic al sit u atio n s an d q u estio n s th at a ro se d u rin g th e c o u rse o f m y r e se arc h . H er w is d o m a n d p en etr a tin g i n sig h ts h av e in fo rm ed e v ery p ag e o f t h is b o ok.
I g ra te fu lly t h an k t h e m an y c o lle ag u es in b o th E uro pe a n d t h e U nit e d S ta te s w ho h av e a id ed t h is e n deav o r: M artin S ch oppe a n d G erd N au hau s, w ho g en ero u sly o pen ed t h e a rc h iv es a t R obert- S ch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au , t o m e a n d w ho h av e b een h elp fu l in e v ery p o ssib le w ay ; H an s J o ac h im Köhle r, L eip zig , a n d R en ate a n d K urt H ofm an n, H am bu rg , f o r e n li g h te n in g c o n versa tio n ; R . K la u s M ülle r, K äte P it ta sc h , L eip zig ; B rig it te B ere n bru ch , B on n; H elg a H eim , H am bu rg ; M aik e H olli n g-S u hl, W est B erli n , w hose f r ie n dsh ip a n d d ev o te d in te re st h av e m ad e m y r e se arc h in E uro pe s o g ra tif y in g a n d p ro du ctiv e; J a n in a K la sse n , K ie l; M aria P ark ai- E ck h ard t, B udap est; a n d P ete r C ah n, F ra n kfu rt, w ho h av e g en ero u sly s h are d in fo rm atio n w it h m e; a n d E va W eis sw eile r, C olo gn e, w ho k in dly s e n t m e h er t r a n sc rip tio n s o f C la ra S ch um an n’s le tte rs t o B ettin a v o n A rn im .
I t h an k a ls o I m ogen F elli n ger, w hose f a m ily c o n nec tio n s w it h t h e S ch um an ns g o b ac k s e v era l g en era tio n s, f o r h er g u id an ce a n d a ssis ta n ce, a n d H erm a S ta m m- B arg ie l, w ho p ro vid ed m e w it h c o pie s o f u npu bli s h ed s k etc h es o f t h e T ro m li t z f a m ily , s h are d in fo rm atio n a b o u t h er T ro m li t z a n d B arg ie l d esc en dan ts , a n d k in dly g av e m e p erm is sio n t o r e p ro du ce t h e p ic tu re o f M aria n ne T ro m li t z .
I a m v ery a p pre c ia tiv e o f t h e h osp it a li t y a n d k in dn ess o f J o h an nes v o n G ott- b erg , w ho g ra n te d m e a c cess t o t h e R udo rff a rc h iv es a n d g av e m e p erm is sio n t o q u ote e x cerp ts f r o m le tte rs o f C la ra S ch um an n t o E rn st R udo rff.
Am on g f r ie n ds a n d c o lle ag u es in t h e U nit e d S ta te s, w arm est t h an ks t o M ari an ne v o n R ec k li n gh au se n B ow le s a n d G ab rie le W ic k ert f o r t h eir e x p ert a ssis ta n ce w it h 17 tr a n sla tio n s, a n d t o A drie n ne B lo ck , G ary G oli o , M ary A nn J o yce, G la d ys K ra sn er, Kare n M ille r, S u sa n na R eic h , J u dit h T ic k , a n d R ac h el W ad e f o r u nfla g gin g en co u ra g em en t, c o u nse l, a n d a ssis ta n ce o ver m an y y ears. I h av e h ad s tim ula tin g a n d pro vo cativ e c o n versa tio n s w it h D r. P ete r O stw ald , w ho w as w rit in g h is R obert Sch um an n b io gra p h y d u rin g t h e y ears I w as w ork in g o u t id eas a b o u t C la ra Sch um an n, a n d I t h an k h im f o r h is in te re st a n d e n co u ra g em en t.
I a m g ra te fu l t o R ufu s H allm ark , M ild re d P ark er, a n d m y c o lle ag u es a t t h e Sta n fo rd C en te r f o r R ese arc h o n W om en , e sp ec ia lly S u sa n B ell, K are n O ffe n , a n d Marily n S afir , f o r h elp fu l s u ggestio n s. T o R alp h L ock e a n d J u rg en T hym f o r in fo rm atio n a b o u t t h e D ic k in so n C olle c tio n , m an y t h an ks.
I h av e u se d t h e f a c ili t ie s o f m an y li b ra rie s a n d a rc h iv es a n d a p pre c ia te t h e gra c io u s a ssis ta n ce o f t h e f o llo w in g in div id u als a n d m usic li b ra rie s in t h e U nit e d Sta te s: R uth H ilt o n a n d t h e N ew Y ork U niv ersit y M usic L ib ra ry ; R ig b ie T urn er an d t h e P ie rp o n t M org an L ib ra ry , N ew Y ork ; B ern ard W ils o n a n d t h e N ew berry Lib ra ry , C hic ag o ; a n d t h e s ta ffs o f t h e m usic li b ra rie s o f C olu m bia U niv ersit y , t h e Eastm an S ch ool o f M usic , H arv ard U niv ersit y , t h e L ib ra ry o f C on gre ss, t h e N ew York P ubli c L ib ra ry , Q ueen s C olle g e, S ta n fo rd U niv ersit y , t h e U niv ersit y o f Cali f o rn ia a t B erk ele y , a n d Y ale U niv ersit y .
I t h an k c o lle ag u es in E uro pean li b ra rie s w ho h av e b een k in d a n d h elp fu l: in Engla n d, t h e s ta ff o f t h e M usic D iv is io n o f t h e B rit is h L ib ra ry ; in W est G erm an y, th e S ta d tg esc h ic h tli c h e S am mlu ngen , B ad en -B ad en ; t h e li b ra ry o f t h e H och sc h ule der K unste , W est B erli n ; t h e S ta ats b ib li o th ek P re u ssis c h er K ult u rb esit z , Musik ab te ilu ng u nd H an dsc h rif te n ab te ilu ng, W est B erli n ; t h e S ta atli c h es I n stit u t fü r M usik fo rsc h ung, P re u ssis c h er K ult u rb esit z , W est B erli n ; t h e M usik bu ch ere i Sch um an nhau s a n d t h e S ta d ta rc h iv , B on n; t h e M usik w is - se n sc h aftli c h es I n stit u t der U niv ersit a t, C olo gn e; t h e H ein ric h -H ein e-In stit u t a n d t h e Univ ersit a ts b ib li o th ek , D üsse ld o rf; t h e S ta d t- u nd U niv ersit a ts b ib -li o th ek , Fra n kfu rt a m M ain ; t h e S ta ats - u nd U niv ersit a ts b ib li o th ek , H am bu rg ; t h e K estn er- Muse u m , H an nover; t h e B ay eris c h e S ta ats b ib li o th ek , M unic h ; a n d t h e Lan desb ib li o th ek , S tu ttg art. I n t h e G erm an D em ocra tic R ep u bli c , I h av e h ad k in d an d p atie n t a ssis ta n ce f r o m t h e s ta ffs o f t h e D eu ts c h e S ta ats - b ib li o th ek , Musik ab te ilu ng, B erli n ; t h e U niv ersit a ts b ib li o th ek , L eip zig ; a n d R obert- Sch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au . I a ls o t h an k t h e s ta ffs o f t h e a rc h iv es o f t h e Gese lls c h aft d er M usik fr e u nde, V ie n na, a n d t h e B ib li o te k a J a g ie llo ń sk a, K ra k o w .
Man y t h an ks t o M arg it M cC ork le a n d t h e s ta ff o f t h e B ra h m s C ata lo gin g Pro je c t f o r p la c in g t h eir li b ra ry a n d w ork in g p ap ers a t m y d is p o sa l in V an co u ver.
I a m d eep ly g ra te fu l t o B arb ara S ala z ar o f C orn ell U niv ersit y P re ss f o r h er patie n ce a n d e x p ert g u id an ce. T o A la n L ip pert a n d M ic h ae l L ip pert f o r t e c h nic al assis ta n ce, a n d t o M i- W on K im f o r p re p arin g t h e m usic al e x am ple s, m uch 18 ap pre c ia tio n .
Portio n s o f C hap te rs 1 t h ro u gh 4 h av e a p peare d in s u bsta n tia lly d if fe re n t f o rm in The M usic a l Q uarte rly , S u m mer 1 984. I a m a ls o g ra te fu l f o r t h e c o op era tio n o f Bre it k o pf & H ärte l, W ie sb ad en , p u bli s h ers o f B erth old L it z m an n’s b io gra p h y o f Cla ra S ch um an n a n d h is e d it io n o f t h e le tte rs o f C la ra S ch um an n a n d J o h an nes Bra h m s, a n d I t h an k t h e f o llo w in g in stit u tio n s f o r p erm is sio n t o p u bli s h e x cerp ts fr o m le tte rs a n d t o r e p ro du ce p ic tu re s in t h eir p o sse ssio n : D eu ts c h e Sta ats b ib li o th ek , B erli n /D DR, M usik ab te ilu ng; R obert- S ch um an n-H au s, Zw ic k au /D DR; S ta ats b ib li o th ek , P re u ssis c h er K ult u rb esit z , M usik ab te ilu ng, W est Berli n ; S ch um an nhau s, B on n; H ein ric h -H ein e-In stit u t, D üsse ld o rf; t h e N ew berry Lib ra ry , C hic ag o ; a n d t h e P ie rp o n t M org an L ib ra ry , N ew Y ork .
I a c k n ow le d ge w it h t h an ks a g ra n t f o r c o lle g e t e ac h ers f r o m t h e N atio n al Endo w m en t f o r t h e H um an it ie s, t r a v el g ra n ts f r o m t h e D eu ts c h er A kad em is c h er Austa u sc h die n st, a n d t h e P en ro se F und o f t h e A m eric an P hilo so ph ic al S o cie ty , a n d assis ta n ce f r o m t h e F ac u lt y S erv ic e C om mit te e, M an hatta n ville C olle g e.
This b o ok c o u ld n ot h av e b een w rit te n w it h ou t t h e s te ad fa st e n co u ra g em en t, fa it h , a n d d ev o tio n o f m y la te h usb an d, H ask ell A . R eic h .
N. B . R .
19 Chro n olo gy 20 21 22 Abbre v ia tio n s a n d S ou rce s A bsc h rif te n bu ch “A bsc h rif te n v ersc h ie d en er G ed ic h te n z u r C om po sit io n ,” R SH 4 871/V III, 4 – 5977-A 3. A note b o ok in to w hic h R S a n d C S c o pie d p o em s t h ey d eem ed s u it a b le f o r s o n g t e x ts . T he se c o n d s e c tio n o f t h e n ote b o ok is in sc rib ed in C S’s h an d, “ G esa m melt v o n R obert u nd C la ra Sch um an n v o m J a h re 1 839 a n ,” b u t it is li k ely t h at R S b eg an e n te rin g p o em s e v en b efo re th at d ate . S ee K ald ew ey .
A fM w Arch iv fü r M usik w is se n sch aft .
A mZ Allg em ein e m usik ali s ch e Z eit u ng , L eip zig .
A ppel/ K ata lo g Appel, B ern hard , a n d I n ge H erm str ü w er, e d s.
Rob ert S ch u m an n u nd d ie D ic h te r: E in M usik er als L ese r. K ata lo g z ur A usste llu ng . D üsse ld o rf: D ro ste , 1 991.
A vin s Sty ra A vin s.
Jo h an nes B ra h m s: L ife a n d L ette rs . T ra n s. J o se f E is in ger a n d S ty ra A vin s. O xfo rd :
Oxfo rd U niv ersit y P re ss, 1 997.
B & H Bre it k o pf & H ärte l.
B oettic h er/ 1 942 Boettic h er, W olf g an g.
Rob ert S ch u m an n in s e in en S ch rift e n u nd B rie fe n . B erli n : H ah nefe ld , 1942.
B rie fw ech se l Sch um an n, C la ra , a n d R obert S ch um an n.
Brie fw ech se l . E d. E va W eis sw eile r. V ol. 1 , 1832– 1838 . V ol. 2 , 1839 . B ase l: S tr o em fe ld / R ote r S te rn , 1 984, 1 987.
C his se ll Chis se ll, J o an .
Cla ra S ch u m an n: A D ed ic a te d S pir it . L on do n : H am is h H am ilt o n , 1 983.
C S Cla ra S ch um an n.
C S/G oeb els Sch um an n, C la ra .
Rom an tis ch e K la vie rm usik . E d. F ra n zp ete r G oeb els . 2 v o ls . H eid elb erg :
Willy M ülle r S ü ddeu ts c h er M usik -v erla g , 1 967, 1 977. ( N ow K asse l: B are n re it e r.) C S/JB B rie fe Sch um an n, C la ra , a n d J o h an nes B ra h m s.
Cla ra S ch u m an n-Jo h an nes B ra h m s B rie fe a u s d en J a h re n 1853–1 896 . E d. B erth old L it z m an n. 2 v o ls . L eip zig : B re it k o pf & H ärte l, 1 927.
C S/P ia n o W ork s Sch um an n, C la ra .
Pia n ofo rte -W erk e . L eip zig : B re it k o pf & H ärte l, 1 879.
C W Cla ra W ie c k .
C W /D ia ry Cla ra W ie c k T ag eb ü ch er, R SH 4 877-A 3. N in e u npu bli s h ed d ia rie s b o u nd in to f o u r vo lu m es c o verin g t h e y ears 1 819– 40. T ra n sc rip tio n s b y G erd N au hau s; p u bli c atio n fo rth co m in g. M y t r a n sla tio n s.
C W /E arly W ork s Wie c k , C la ra .
Fru he K la vie rw erk e . E d. J o ac h im D ra h eim a n d G erd N au hau s. H ofh eim :
Hofm eis te r, 1 996, 1 997. ( O pp. 1 – 6, o p. 7 , b ase d o n f ir st e d it io n s.) D a C ap o Sch um an n, C la ra W ie c k .
Sele cte d P ia n o M usic . N ew Y ork : D a C ap o , 1 979.
D av erio Dav erio , J o h n.
Rob ert S ch u m an n: H era ld o f a “ N ew P oetic A ge . ” N ew Y ork : O xfo rd Univ ersit y P re ss, 1 997.
D e V rie s De V rie s, C la u dia .
Die P ia n is tin C la ra W ie ck -S ch u m an n: I n te rp re ta tio n im S pan nungsfe ld v on Tra d it io n u nd I n div id u ali t y . M ain z: S ch ott, 1 996.
D ra h eim /H öft Sch um an n, C la ra .
Sam tli c h e L ie d er fü r S in gstim me u nd K la vie r . E d. J o ac h im D ra h eim a n d Brig it te H öft. 2 v o ls . W ie sb ad en : B re it k o pf & H ärte l, 1 990, 1 992.
23 Dwig h t’ s Dwig h t’ s J o u rn al o f M usic .
FW Frie d ric h W ie c k .
Gro v e The N ew G ro v e D ic tio n ary o f M usic a n d M usic ia n s . E d. S ta n le y S ad ie . 2 0 v o ls . L on do n :
Mac m illa n , 1 980.
HHI Hein ric h -H ein e-In stit u t, D üsse ld o rf.
HHI/ D ic k in so n Hein ric h -H ein e-In stit u t, D ic k in so n C olle c tio n . M an usc rip ts , p rin ts , a n d p erso n al e ffe c ts o f Cla ra S ch um an n a c q u ir e d b y H HI in 1 984 f r o m t h e c o lle c tio n a sse m ble d b y J u ne a n d Edw ard D ic k in so n . S ee I n ge H erm str ü w er a n d J o se p h A . K ru se , “ T re u e F re u nde s in d g ar se lt e n ,” Kata lo g , 1 71– 77.
Hoh en em se r Hoh en em se r, R ic h ard . “ C la ra W ie c k -S ch um an n a ls K om po n is tin .” Die M usik , 5 ( 1 905– 6), 113– 26, 1 66– 73.
JJ/ B rie fe Jo ac h im , J o se p h .
Brie fe v on u nd a n J o se p h J o a ch im . E d. J o h an nes J o ac h im a n d A ndre as M ose r.
3 v o ls . B erli n : J u li u s B ard , 1 911– 13.
Ju gen dbrie fe Sch um an n, R obert.
Ju gen dbrie fe v on R ob ert S ch u m an n: N ach d en O rig in ale n m it g eth eilt . E d. C la ra Sch um an n. 2 d e d . L eip zig : B re it - k o pf & H ärte l, 1 886.
Kalb ec k Kalb ec k , M ax .
Jo h an nes B ra h m s . 4 th e d . 4 v o ls . B erli n : D eu ts c h e B ra h m s- G ese lls c h aft, 1 921.
Kald ew ey Kald ew ey , H elm a. “ D ie G ed ic h ta b sc h rif te n R obert u nd C la ra S ch um an ns.” I n Rob ert Sch u m an n u nd d ie D ic h te r: E in M usik er a ls L ese r , e d . B ern hard A ppel a n d I n ge H erm str ü w er.
Düsse ld o rf: D ro ste , 1 991.
Kata lo g Bodsc h , I n grid , a n d G erd N au hau s, e d s.
Cla ra S ch u m an n, 1 819–1 896: K ata lo g z ur Ausste llu ng . B on n: B on n S ta d tm use u m , 1 996.
Kla sse n /1 987 Kla sse n , J a n in a, e d .
Cla ra W ie ck -S ch u m an n A usg ew ah lt e K la vie rw erk e . M unic h : H en le , 1 987.
Kla sse n /1 990 Kla sse n , J a n in a.
Cla ra W ie ck -S ch u m an n: D ie V ir tu osin a ls K om pon is tin . K asse l: B are n re it e r, 1990.
Lie d erb u ch SB P K /C S5: M us. M s. A uto gr. C . S ch um an n 5 . S o n gs o f C S c o lle c te d in a m usic n ote b o ok in 1 842. T it le p ag e h as in sc rip tio n in R S’s h an d, “ L ie d er/ m it B eg le it u ng d .
Pia n ofo rte / v o n /K la ra S ch um an n./ 1 842.” Belo w t h e t it le is a t a b le o f c o n te n ts in w hic h 1 6 so n gs w rit te n b etw een 1 840 a n d 1 846 a re li s te d in t h e o rd er in w hic h t h ey w ere c o m po se d .
In r ig h t m arg in , in C S’s h an d v ertic ally f r o m b o tto m t o t o p: “ V erz e ic h nis s v o n R obert gesc h rie b en .” O n p . 2 , a n oth er li s t in t h e h an d o f M arie S ch um an n(? ), in w hic h t h e s ix so n gs o f o p. 2 3 a n d “ D as V eilc h en ,” a ll c o m po se d in 1 853, a re li s te d . E ac h s o n g in t h e Lie d erb u ch is w rit te n in C S’s h an d w it h d ate o f c o m po sit io n in t o p le ft c o rn er, a u th or o f te x t in t o p r ig h t c o rn er. O nly a f e w o f t h e s o n gs a re t it le d , a n d t h e t it le w rit te n b y C S is n ot alw ay s id en tic al t o t h at w rit te n b y R S in t h e t a b le o f c o n te n ts . T he s o n gs h av e b een num bere d ( b y li b ra ria n o r M arie S ch um an n?) in t o p c en te r a n d c o n fo rm w it h t h e n um bers writ te n o n t h e t it le p ag e b y R S.
Lit z m an n Lit z m an n, B erth old .
Cla ra S ch u m an n: E in K unstle rle b en n ach T age-b u ch ern u nd B rie fe n . 3 v o ls .
Leip zig : B re it k o pf & H ärte l, 1 902– 8.
Marc ia n o Sch um an n, C la ra .
Dre i k le in e K la vie rs tu ck e . E d. R osa rio M arc ia n o. V ie n na: D obli n ger, 1 979.
Mem oir s Sch um an n, E ugen ie .
The S ch u m an ns a n d J o h an nes B ra h m s: T he M em oir s o f E ugen ie S ch u m an n .
Tra n s. M arie B usc h . N ew Y ork : D ia l, 1 927.
MGG Blu m e, F rie d ric h , e d .
Die M usik in G esch ic h te u nd G eg en w art . 1 4 v o ls . K asse l: B are n re it e r, 1949– 68.
ML Music a n d L ette rs .
MQ The M usic a l Q uarte rly .
MT The M usic a l T im es .
NBM z Neu e B erli n er M usik z eit u ng .
Nie c k s Nie c k s, F re d eric k .
Rob ert S ch u m an n . L on do n : J . M . D en t, 1 925.
NZfM Neu e Z eit s ch rift fü r M usik .
24 Nord erv al Sch um an n, C la ra .
Sev en S on gs . E d. K ris tin N ord erv al. B ry n M aw r, P a.: H ild eg ard , 1 993.
PN Pla te n um ber.
PS Pro gra m m-S am mlu ng, R SH 1 0463. A c o lle c tio n o f f iv e s c ra p bo oks c o n ta in in g 1 ,2 99 pro gra m s ( 1 828– 91) o f c o n certs in w hic h C la ra W ie c k S ch um an n p la y ed . T hey a re num bere d a n d t h e c it y in w hic h t h e p erfo rm an ce t o ok p la c e is n ote d o n e ac h . T he co lle c tio n w as b eg u n b y F W in 1 828 a n d c o n tin ued b y C S.
Quelle n w erk Geo rg E is m an n, e d .
Rob ert S ch u m an n: E in Q uelle n w erk u ber s e in L eb en u nd S ch affe n . 2 v o ls .
Leip zig : B re it k o pf & H ärte l, 1 956.
Reh berg Reh berg , P au la , a n d W alt e r R eh berg .
Rob ert S ch u m an n: S ein L eb en u nd s e in W erk . 2 d e d .
Zuric h : A rte m is , 1 969.
RSH Robert- S ch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au .
RS/Ja n se n Sch um an n, R obert.
Rob ert S ch u m an ns B rie fe . N eu e F olg e E d. F . G usta v J a n se n . L eip zig :
Bre it k o pf & H ärte l, 1 904.
RS/T gb 1 Sch um an n, R obert.
Tageb ü ch er . P t. 1 , 1827–1 838 . E d. G eo rg E is m an n. L eip zig : D eu ts c h er Verla g f ü r M usik , 1 971.
RS/T gb 2 Sch um an n, R obert.
Tageb ü ch er . P t. 2 , 1836–1 854 . E d. G erd N au hau s. L eip zig : D eu ts c h er Verla g f ü r M usik , 1 987. I n clu des m arria g e d ia rie s a n d o th er e n tr ie s o f R S a n d C S.
RS/T gb 3 Sch um an n, R obert.
Tageb ü ch er . P t. 3 , Hau sh alt b u ch er ( 1 837–1 856) . E d. G erd N au hau s. 2 vo ls . L eip zig : D eu ts c h er V erla g f ü r M usik , 1 982.
Rudo rff- A rc h iv Rudo rff- A rc h iv : P riv ata rc h iv v . G ottb erg .
SA TB So pra n o, a lt o , t e n or, b ass.
SB P K Sta ats b ib li o th ek z u B erli n P re u ssis c h er K ult u rb esit z , M usik ab te ilu ng m it M en dels so h n- Arc h iv . C S a u to gra p h s li s te d a s “ M us. m s. a u to gr. K . S ch um an n” a n d n um ber.
Ste eg m an n Sch um an n, C la ra .
“. . . d ass G ott m ir e in T ale n t g esch en kt” : C la ra S ch u m an ns B rie fe a n H erm an n Härte l u nd R ic h ard u nd H ele n e S ch ön e . E d. M on ic a S te eg m an n. Z uric h : A tla n tis M usik bu ch - Verla g , 1 997.
Wen dle r Wen dle r, E ugen , e d .
“D as B an d d er e w ig en L ie b e” : C la ra S ch u m an ns B rie fw ech se l m it E m ili e u nd Eli s e L is t . S tu ttg art: J . B . M etz le r, 1 996.
Wie c k /B rie fe Wie c k , F rie d ric h .
Brie fe a u s d en J a h re n 1 830–1 838 . E d. K ath e W alc h -S ch um an n. C olo gn e:
Arn o V olk -V erla g , 1 968.
WCM A Gli c k m an , S ylv ia , a n d M arth a F urm an S ch le if e r.
Wom en C om pose rs : M usic th ro u gh th e A ges .
Vols . 6 a n d 7 . N ew Y ork : G . K . H all, 1 999– 2000.
Wgm Gese lls c h aft d er M usik fr e u nde in W ie n .
25 PA RT I 26 T HE L IF E O F C LA RA S CH UM AN N 27 CH APT ER 1 28 Pre lu de: T he W ie ck s of L eip zig O n Ja n uary 9 , 1 838, a p o em , “ C la ra W ie c k u nd B eeth oven ,” ap peare d in th e W ie n er Z eit s ch rift fü r K unst . 1 W rit te n b y F ra n z G rillp arz e r, A ustr ia ’s le ad in g d ra m atic p o et, t h e v erse li n ked t h e n am e o f t h e g re at c o m po se r w it h t h at o f a y o u ng w om an w ho h ad ju st g iv en h er th ir d V ie n nese re c it a l a t th e a g e o f e ig h te en . G rillp arz e r’s r e sp o n se to her perfo rm an ce of Beeth oven ’s Pia n o So n ata op. 57, th e “ A ppassio n ata ,” r e fle c te d t h e w ild e n th usia sm t h e y o u ng p ia n is t a ro u se d in V ie n na.
Cla ra W ie c k h ad a rriv ed in t h e A ustr ia n c ap it a l f r o m h er n ativ e L eip zig w it h h er f a th er, F rie d ric h , in D ec em ber 1 837. F ro m h er f ir st c o n cert o n t h e f o u rte en th in t h e M usik vere in sa al t o h er la st a p peara n ce in A pril, w hen s h e p la y ed f o r t h e e m pero r in t h e B urg , s h e w as g re ete d w it h t h e k in d o f a d o ra tio n t h e V ie n nese r e se rv ed f o r a rtis ts o f t h e r a n k o f N ic co lo P ag an in i a n d S ig is m und T hal- b erg .
2 M usic lo vers f o u gh t t o b u y s e ats in t h e o verc ro w ded h alls w here s h e p la y ed ; c rit ic s v ie d w it h o n e a n oth er in e x p re ssio n s o f a d m ir a tio n . A t h er f o u rth c o n cert, f r e n zie d a p pla u se r e c alle d h er t o t h e s ta g e t h ir te en t im es. P rin ces a n d b aro n s in vit e d h er t o p la y a t t h eir p ala c es a n d s h ow ere d h er w it h je w els a n d t r e asu re . T he e m pre ss h erse lf l e t h er d eep est s a tis f a c tio n b e k n ow n w it h a g if t o f f if ty g o ld d u cats .
3 R ec alli n g C la ra ’s r e c ep tio n , E du ard H an sli c k , t h e V ie n nese c rit ic a n d m usic h is to ria n , d esc rib ed h er a s “ n ot a w on derc h ild — an d y et s till a c h ild a n d a lr e ad y a w on der.” 4 On M arc h 1 5, 1 838, s h e r e c eiv ed t h e g re ate st h on or A ustr ia c o u ld b esto w : s h e w as n am ed Kön ig li c h e K ais e rli c h e K am merv ir tu osin ( R oyal a n d I m peria l C ham ber V ir tu osa ), a d is tin ctio n w it h ou t p re c ed en t f o r a n e ig h te en -y ear- o ld w ho w as, m ore o ver, a P ro te sta n t, a f o re ig n er, a n d a f e m ale . T he e m pero r h ad a g re ed t o m ak e a n e x cep tio n f o r C la ra W ie c k . O n M arc h 2 1 t h e e m pero r d u bbed h er W underm ad ch en a n d a ssu re d h er t h at h e h ad m ad e t h e a w ard w it h g re at p erso n al s a tis f a c tio n .
5 Who w as C la ra W ie c k ? H ow d id t h is s le n der, o val- e y ed d au gh te r o f a n u nkn ow n L eip zig p ia n o t e ac h er a n d m usic d eale r m an ag e t o r e ac h s u ch h eig h ts o f 29 artis tr y ? T he q u estio n is s till m ore in tr ig u in g w hen w e c o n sid er t h at t h is g ir l, b o rn in a n a g e w hen m usic al t a le n t in a f e m ale w as g en era lly r e g ard ed o n ly a s a n a sse t in th e m arria g e m ark et, s u bse q u en tly b u ilt a g lo rio u s c are er t h at s p an ned o ver s ix ty years, a c are er t h at in flu en ced t h e c o n cert a n d m usic al li f e o f t h e n in ete en th cen tu ry . A ck n ow le d ged a s t h e p eer o f F ra n z L is z t, T halb erg , a n d A nto n Rubin ste in , s h e w as a t h oro u gh p ro fe ssio n al a n d a w ork in g w if e a n d m oth er, man ag in g t h e m an if o ld p ro ble m s o f c are er, h ou se h old , h usb an d, a n d c h ild re n . A t tw en ty -o n e s h e w as m arrie d t o a m ajo r c o m po se r; a t t h ir ty -se v en , a w id o w w it h se v en c h ild re n , s h e b ec am e in vo lv ed in a li f e lo n g f r ie n dsh ip w it h a n oth er m ajo r co m po se r. F urth erm ore , t h e in defa tig ab le C la ra c o m po se d m usic ( tw en ty -th re e pu bli s h ed o pu s n um bers a n d a n e q u al n um ber w it h ou t o pu s n um bers), 1 t a u gh t, an d w as r e sp o n sib le f o r t h e a u th orit a tiv e e d it io n o f t h e Colle cte d W ork s o f R ob ert Sch u m an n .
This r e m ark ab le w om an w as a c re ativ e p artn er o f t h re e m en : F rie d ric h W ie c k , Robert S ch um an n, a n d J o h an nes B ra h m s. T he f ir st, h er f a th er, s o le t e ac h er, a n d co n cert m an ag er, m uch m ali g n ed f o r t h e r o le h e w as la te r t o p la y in t h e r o m an ce betw een h is d au gh te r a n d R obert S ch um an n, w as a s e lf - m ad e m an a n d s e lf - tr a in ed music ia n , o bse ssiv e a n d a m bit io u s. C on vin ced t h at g en der w as n o h an dic ap in t h e ra c e f o r a rtis tic g re atn ess, h e g av e C la ra t h e in str u ctio n a n d m usic al u ndersta n din g th at c arrie d h er b ey o n d t h e r a n ks o f t h e m ere ly g if te d t o a p o sit io n in t h e co n ste lla tio n o f t h e g re at n in ete en th -c en tu ry v ir tu osi. H is d is c ip li n e a n d p rid e in her a c h ie v em en ts p ro vid ed t h e p ra c tic al s e n se a n d s ta b ili t y t h at s u sta in ed h er th ro u gh p erso n al a n d a rtis tic c ris e s. W ie c k f ir m ly b eli e v ed t h at h is p ed ag o gic al gen iu s a lo n e w as r e sp o n sib le f o r t h e c re atio n o f t h e y o u ng p ia n is t w ho g en era te d su ch e x cit e m en t in V ie n na in 1 838, o verlo okin g e n tir e ly t h e r o le o f C la ra ’s moth er, t h e g ir l’ s o w n r e m ark ab le t a le n ts , a n d t h e s e rie s o f c ir c u m sta n ces, a t o n ce tr a g ic , a u sp ic io u s, f o rtu it o u s, a n d p re d ic ta b le , w hic h w en t in to t h e m ak in g o f t h e “Q ueen o f t h e P ia n o.” W ie c k w as a t f ir st, o f c o u rse , t h e d o m in atin g f ig u re in h er li f e , b u t C la ra s o on g re w t o b e t h e m ore s ig n if ic an t, a n d h e e v en tu ally s h on e o n ly in t h e r e fle c te d g lo ry o f h er li g h t.
F RIE D RIC H W IE C K , 1 785–1873 Frie d ric h W ie c k , t h e y o u ngest s o n o f a m erc h an t in P re tz sc h , a s m all t o w n ab o u t f o rty -fiv e k ilo m ete rs f r o m L eip zig , w as b o rn in 1 785 in to a f a m ily w it h dec li n in g f o rtu nes a n d v ery li t tle in te re st in m usic .
6 A lw ay s p assio n ate ly f o n d o f th e a rt, h e s tu die d w here h e c o u ld . A t a g e t h ir te en h e w as g iv en t h e o ppo rtu nit y t o atte n d t h e T hom as- S ch ule in L eip zig , b u t w as f o rc ed t o r e tu rn h om e a fte r s ix week s b ec au se o f illn ess. A w eak a n d s ic k ly y o u ngste r, h e r e m ain ed in Pre tz sc h 30 until 1 800, w hen h e w en t t o t h e T org au g y m nasiu m t o p re p are f o r t h e u niv ersit y an d h is e v en tu al g o al, t h e m in is tr y . I n T org au a n d la te r a t t h e U niv ersit y o f Wit te n berg , w here h e m atr ic u la te d in 1 803, h is m usic al e d u catio n w as h ap h az ard .
His o n ly f o rm al p ia n o le sso n s w ere s o m e s ix h ou rs w it h J o h an n P ete r M ilc h m ey er, who w as in T org au f o r a s h ort t im e t o g iv e le sso n s t o t h e w if e a n d c h ild re n o f a well- to -d o t o w nsm an .
2 When W ie c k c o m ple te d h is t h eo lo gic al s tu die s a t t h e u niv ersit y a n d h ad pre ac h ed t h e o bli g ato ry t r ia l s e rm on in D re sd en , h e le ft t h eo lo gy a n d t u rn ed t o t h e tr a d it io n al o ccu patio n o f t h e G erm an u niv ersit y g ra d u ate w ho h ad n eit h er m on ey nor c o n nec tio n s: h e b ec am e a Hau sle h re r , a p riv ate t u to r in t h e h om e o f a w ealt h y fa m ily . O ver t h e n ex t n in e y ears h e w ork ed f o r s e v era l a ris to cra tic f a m ili e s in Thurin gia . H is f ir st p o sit io n w as w it h a b aro n v o n S ec k en do rff in Q uerfu rth , where A do lp h B arg ie l, t h e m usic t e ac h er o f t h e S ec k en do rff c h ild re n , b ec am e a clo se f r ie n d. B arg ie l w ill a p pear a g ain a t a c rit ic al p o in t in W ie c k ’s li f e .
Con sc ie n tio u s, o bse rv an t, a n d in te lli g en t, W ie c k w as a p erc ep tiv e t e ac h er. H e understo od t h e la te st t h ou gh t in e d u catio n al p sy ch olo gy ( d o m in ate d , a t t h at p erio d, by J e an -Ja c q u es R ou sse au a n d h is Em ile a n d s u ch e d u cato rs a s J o h an n B ase d o w a n d Jo h an n P esta lo zzi) a n d a p pli e d it s u ccessf u lly t o h is s tu den ts . T he y o u ng t e ac h er sp ec u la te d o n s u ch c o n cep ts a s in div id u ali z e d le arn in g a n d t h e c rit ic al r o le o f motiv atio n in t e ac h in g. A nd, li k e o th er p ro gre ssiv e e d u cato rs o f h is t im e, h e p la c ed gre at im po rta n ce o n r e g u la r p h ysic al e x erc is e in t h e o pen a ir . H is d au gh te r’s music al e d u catio n , w hic h w as t o b eg in in 1 824, w as in flu en ced b y h is r e ad in g a n d ex p erie n ces a s a Hau sle h re r .
In k eep in g w it h t h e r a tio n ali s t s p ir it o f t h e t im e, t h e y o u ng m an in sis te d t h at t h e go al o f m ora l t r a in in g s h ou ld b e t o e d u cate t h e c h ild t o b e a g o od p erso n . R eli g io n sh ou ld n ot b e a m atte r f o r t h e m in d b u t s h ou ld c o m e f r o m t h e h eart, h e w ro te . H e was p artic u la rly c o n cern ed w it h Ehrtr ie b ( w hic h c an b e lo ose ly t r a n sla te d a s a str iv in g f o r a h ig h er s ta te ) a n d h ow it c o u ld b e u se d a s a p o sit iv e f o rc e b y t h e te ac h er. H e c au tio n ed t h at g re at c are h ad t o b e e x erc is e d s o t h at Ehrtr ie b w ou ld n ot deg en era te in to m ere a m bit io n , a p assio n f o r g lo ry , v an it y , b o astf u ln ess, a n d mali c io u s p le asu re in d en ig ra tin g o th ers. C on sis te n cy , h ow ev er, w as n ot o n e o f Wie c k ’s v ir tu es. I n v ie w o f h is la te r p re o ccu patio n w it h h is d au gh te r’s m usic al care er a n d b it te r a n ger a t h er, h is o w n Ehrtr ie b s e em s t o h av e b een e asily s u lli e d b y am bit io n .
Wie c k c am e t o m usic la te . D urin g h is y ears a s a t u to r, h e h ad li t tle e x p o su re t o ev en ts in t h e m usic al w orld ; h is e x p erie n ce w as li m it e d t o s m all- to w n m usic ia n s an d c h urc h c h oir s, p erh ap s a p erfo rm an ce o f a n eig h bo rin g n oble m an ’s Kap elle . H e did n ot a tte n d a la rg e-sc ale p u bli c c o n cert u ntil h e w as w ell in to h is t w en tie s.
Sin ce s y m ph on ic a n d c h ora l w ork s w ere p erfo rm ed o n ly in a f e w la rg e G erm an 31 cit ie s in t h e e arly y ears o f t h e n in ete en th c en tu ry , o ppo rtu nit ie s t o h ear a Beeth oven s y m ph on y o r a H ay d n o ra to rio s im ply d id n ot e x is t in t h e p ro vin cia l cen te rs w here W ie c k w as w ork in g. I n 1 811 t h e y o u ng t u to r h eard , p ro bab ly f o r th e f ir st t im e in h is li f e , o rc h estr a l w ork s b y B eeth oven , L ou is S p o h r, a n d M ozart, an d t h e H ay d n o ra to rio Die S ch öp fu ng ( T he C re atio n ). H is c o py o f t h e p ro gra m , pre se rv ed b y h is f a m ily , t e stif ie s t o h is a tte n dan ce a t t h e s e c o n d G erm an Musik fe st , a tw o-d ay m usic f e stiv al in w hic h f o rc es f r o m a n um ber o f T hurin gia n t o w ns jo in ed to p la y la rg e w ork s.
7 Where a n d w hen W ie c k le arn ed e n ou gh t h eo ry t o c o m po se a n d e n ou gh a b o u t pia n o t e c h niq u e t o s e t h im se lf u p a s a t e ac h er a re s till n ot c le ar. Y et b y 1 815 h e w as co n fid en t e n ou gh t o d ed ic ate a n d s e n d a g ro u p o f h is s o n gs t o C arl M aria v o n Web er. T o W ie c k ’s d eli g h t, t h e c o m po se r t o ok t h e t im e a n d t r o u ble t o w rit e a deta ile d c rit ic is m o f t h e w ork s.
8 A fte r p u bli c atio n , t h e s o n gs w ere r e v ie w ed in a Leip zig jo u rn al, t h e Allg em ein e m usik ali s ch e Z eit u ng . 9 S o m e s h ortc o m in gs w ere note d , a n d W ie c k w as a d vis e d t o s tu dy v o ic e b ec au se h is v o cal li n es w ere “u nnatu ra l” a n d h ard t o s in g. A t t h e s a m e t im e, h ow ev er, t h e c rit ic n ote d t h at t h e so n gs s h ow ed “ so m e in dic atio n s o f t a le n t.” W ie c k m ust h av e b een g ra tif ie d t o s e e th at h is w ork w as t a k en s e rio u sly a n d t h at a c are er in m usic a p peare d t o b e p o ssib le .
Wie c k le ft h is t u to ria l p o st a n d, a p ply in g h is k een in te lli g en ce, e n erg y , s o arin g am bit io n , a n d n ativ e t a le n ts t o m usic , u nderto ok a n ew v o catio n a t t h e a g e o f th ir ty . I n 1 815 h e w as e sta b li s h ed in L eip zig — wit h t h e f in an cia l h elp o f a f r ie n d— as a p ia n o t e ac h er a n d o w ner o f a p ia n o s to re a n d m usic s h op.
Alt h ou gh t h e a c tu al d ate o f h is s e ttli n g in L eip zig is n ot k n ow n, it m ust h av e been w ell b efo re t h e A pril 1 9, 1 815, is su e o f t h e Allg em ein e m usik ali s ch e Z eit u ng , whic h r e fe rre d t o h im a s “ th e p o pu la r L eip zig m usic t e ac h er.” W ie c k ’s b u sin ess— whic h h e k ep t g o in g u ntil 1 840, w hen h e m oved t o D re sd en — was c alle d a Pia n o- Fabrik , u su ally t r a n sla te d a s “ p ia n o f a c to ry .” T he e n te rp ris e w as n ot a p ia n o f a c to ry , how ev er, b u t a s to re in w hic h h e r e n te d a n d s o ld p ia n os, a n d t u ned a n d r e p air e d th em a s w ell. T he t e rm Fabrik w as ju stif ie d in p art b y h is e x p la n atio n t h at h e s to od beh in d e v ery p ia n o h e s o ld .
10 Leip zig w as t h e n atu ra l p la c e f o r a n a m bit io u s m an t o e sta b li s h h im se lf . L ocate d in a f la t b asin a t t h e c o n flu en ce o f s e v era l r iv ers a n d t h e c ro ssr o ad s o f a n cie n t north -so u th a n d e ast- w est r o ad s, t h e c it y h ad n o n atu ra l b eau ty t o r e c o m men d it , bu t f r o m t h e t im e o f it s f o u ndin g in t h e t w elf th c en tu ry it h ad b een a n im po rta n t tr a d in g a n d c u lt u ra l c en te r. T hou gh s it u ate d in S ax o n y a n d s u bje c t t o it s r u le r, Leip zig w as g o vern ed b y a t o w n c o u ncil o f m id dle -c la ss c it iz e n s, m ostly m erc h an ts an d m an ufa c tu re rs, w hic h h ad c o n sid era b le p o li t ic al a n d f is c al in dep en den ce. T he se m i- an nual t r a d e f a ir s t h at f o r m ore t h an f iv e c en tu rie s h ad d ra w n b u yers a n d 32 se lle rs f r o m a ll o ver E uro pe g av e t h e c it y a c o sm opo li t a n air a n d in te rn atio n al re n ow n. L eip zig ’s m usic ia n s w ere a lw ay s p artic u la rly b u sy d u rin g t h e f a ir , f o r vis it o rs e n jo yed m usic al in te rlu des in t h eir b u sin ess a ffa ir s. T he f o u ndin g o f t h e univ ersit y in 1 409 a n d t h e e sta b li s h m en t o f t h e p rin tin g in du str y in 1 480 co n tr ib u te d t o t h e c it y ’s im po rta n ce a s a n in te lle c tu al a n d c u lt u ra l c en te r.
In s e ttli n g in L eip zig in 1 815, t h en , W ie c k h ad e sta b li s h ed h im se lf in t h e r ig h t pla c e a t t h e r ig h t t im e. I t n ot o n ly w as a m etr o po li s w it h a s tr o n g c o m merc ia l a n d mid dle -c la ss t r a d it io n b u t o n e in w hic h m usic h ad a lw ay s h ad a s p ec ia l p o sit io n a n d music ia n s a f a v o re d s ta tu s. I n 1 841 a c it iz e n w ro te , “ In o u r L eip zig , m usic . . . t h e in te rp re te r o f a ll h um an f e eli n gs, w as h eld in h ig h e ste em a n d c u lt iv ate d w it h a n unm is ta k ab le p re fe re n ce.” 11 An a c tiv e m usic al li f e h ad b een r e c o rd ed in t h e c it y s in ce t h e t h ir te en th c en tu ry .
Music c o m po se d f o r d aily a n d c ere m on ia l e v en ts a n d p erfo rm ed b y t o w n- ap po in te d m usic ia n s w as d esc rib ed a s e arly a s t h e f if te en th c en tu ry , a n d b y t h e se v en te en th c en tu ry p riv ate c it iz e n s a n d u niv ersit y s tu den ts h ad jo in ed t o geth er in a co lle g iu m m usic u m , o n e o f t h e f ir st in G erm an y. C ult iv atio n o f t h e m usic al a rt w as well e sta b li s h ed w hen J o h an n S eb astia n B ac h w as e m plo yed b y t h e t o w n c o u ncil in 1723. U nli k e D re sd en , t h e n eare st la rg e c it y a n d t h e r o yal s e at o f S ax o n y, w it h a co u rtly m usic al t r a d it io n a n d c o u rt- sp o n so re d m usic al a c tiv it ie s, L eip zig w as a co m merc ia l c en te r w hose m usic al li f e s e rv ed t h e n eed s o f m id dle -c la ss f a m ili e s.
The u nusu al in te re st a n d p rid e in c h urc h m usic , t h e t r a d it io n s a sso cia te d w it h th e u niv ersit y ( w here m usic h ad b een t a u gh t a s a d is c ip li n e s in ce it s f o u ndin g), a n d th e m usic al a c tiv it ie s o f t h e m id dle c la ss e n co u ra g ed t h e g ro w th o f s u ch in stit u tio n s as t h e G ro sse C on cert, a c o n cert o rg an iz atio n c re ate d b y m erc h an ts in 1 743, a n d it s su ccesso r, t h e G ew an dh au s C on certs , f o u nded in 1 781. T he G ew an dh au s Con certs , in w hic h C la ra W ie c k w as t o p la y m ore f r e q u en tly t h an a n y o th er pia n is t, w as g o vern ed b y a d ir e c to ra te o f t w elv e t o w nsp eo ple , s ix f r o m t h e le arn ed pro fe ssio n s a n d s ix f r o m t h e m erc an tile c o m munit y . I n a n a g e w hen m ost Euro pean m usic ia n s w ere h ou se h old s e rv an ts w ho p erfo rm ed f o r t h eir a ris to cra tic patr o n s a n d in vit e d f r ie n ds, t h e e sta b li s h m en t o f a c o n cert h all in a c o m merc ia l bu ild in g a n d t h e a d m in is tr a tio n o f t h e c o n cert o rg an iz atio n b y a g ro u p o f m id dle - cla ss c it iz e n s w as a n a u gu ry o f t h e c o m in g c en tu ry , w hen c o n certs w ou ld b e o pen to a ll w ho c o u ld a ffo rd t h e p ric e o f t ic k ets .
3 F ro m it s in cep tio n t h e G ew an dh au s was t h e le ad in g m usic al o rg an iz atio n in L eip zig . O th er m usic al g ro u ps p erfo rm ed in t h e c it y , b u t t h e G ew an dh au s c o n certs w ere a n d r e m ain a u niq u e L eip zig in stit u tio n .
Theate r a n d o pera p ro du ctio n s h ad n ev er f lo u ris h ed in t h e s e rio u s L eip zig co m munit y a s t h ey d id in t h e c o u rt c it ie s o f D re sd en a n d W eim ar. U ntil a L eip zig cit y t h eate r in w hic h b o th d ra m as a n d o pera s w ere p ro du ced w as f o u nded in 1 817, 33 au die n ces in t h e c o m merc ia l c en te r w ere e n te rta in ed b y v is it in g t r o u pes f r o m Dre sd en . B ut W ie c k a tte n ded t h e t h eate r r e g u la rly , a n d s a w t o it t h at h is d au gh te r kn ew t h e g re at d ra m as o f L essin g, G oeth e, a n d S ch ille r a s w ell a s t h e p o pu la r opera s o f t h e d ay . T he y o u ng g ir l h eard a n a sto n is h in g n um ber o f o pera s; b y t h e tim e s h e w as t w elv e s h e h ad s e en a lm ost e v ery w ork p re se n te d in L eip zig , in clu din g o pera s b y M ozart, B eeth oven , W eb er, a n d R ossin i.
4 Prin tin g e sta b li s h m en ts h ad e x is te d in L eip zig s in ce t h e in ven tio n o f t y p e. A t th e e n d o f t h e e ig h te en th c en tu ry , e ig h te en g en era l p re sse s, e ac h e m plo yin g s e v en ty to e ig h ty p eo ple , a ffir m ed t h e s ta tu s o f li t e ra c y a n d e d u catio n in t h is r e g io n .
12 A ty p ic al L eip zig e v en t t h at C la ra a tte n ded w as t h e Gute n berg fe y er , o n J u ne 2 4, 1 840.
Pro cessio n s, m usic ( b y F eli x M en dels so h n), s p eec h es, f ir e w ork s, a g re at d in ner f o r 3,0 00 p eo ple , a n d t h e u nveili n g o f J o h an n G ute n berg ’s s ta tu e c ele b ra te d t h e f o u r hundre d th a n niv ersa ry o f G ute n berg ’s in ven tio n o f m ovab le t y p e. T oasts w ere dru nk w hile m usic w as p rin te d o n p re sse s s e t u p in t h e g re at s q u are .
13 In 1 815, t h e y ear W ie c k c am e t o L eip zig , t h e c it y , w hic h t h en h ad a p o pu la tio n of 3 5,0 00, w as r e c o verin g f r o m t h e u ph eav als o f t h e N ap o le o n ic W ars. P arts o f Sax o n y h ad b een o ccu pie d b y F re n ch t r o ops, b u t a t t h e s o -c alle d B attle o f t h e Natio n s, f o u gh t o n t h e f la t m ead o w la n ds s u rro u ndin g t h e c it y , t h e F re n ch w ere dec is iv ely d efe ate d . P eac e w as r e sto re d a n d c o m merc ia l li f e r e su m ed .
Sev era l c o n cern s in L eip zig w ere a lr e ad y c ate rin g t o t h e p ro sp ero u s m usic al am ate u rs b u t t h ere w as a lw ay s r o om f o r a n oth er a sp ir in g d eale r. I n h is s to re in t h e Hoh e L ili e , n ot f a r f r o m t h e m ain s q u are , W ie c k t a u gh t, k ep t h is s h op, a n d li v ed fr o m 1 818 t o 1 821.
5 A n e n te rp ris in g b u sin essm an , h e s o ld a n d le n t m usic , m usic bo oks, a n d p erio dic als . I n a d dit io n t o p ia n os, h e s o ld a k ey b o ard in str u m en t k n ow n as t h e p h ysh arm on ic a a n d s u ch c o n tr a p tio n s a s t h e Han dle it e r ( w ris t g u id e), t r ill mac h in es, f in ger s tr e tc h ers, s ile n t f in gerb o ard s— all d ev ic es in te n ded t o s p eed u p music le arn in g a n d t e ac h c o rre c t h ab it s t o t h e la rg e n um bers o f e ag er m id dle -c la ss key b o ard a m ate u rs.
By t h e 1 820s W ie c k w as t r a v eli n g t o V ie n na r e g u la rly t o b u y p ia n os. H e bec am e f r ie n dly w it h t h e p ia n o m an ufa c tu re rs C on ra d G ra f a n d A ndre as S te in , co rre sp o n ded w it h t h e p ia n is t C arl C ze rn y, a n d m et B eeth oven .
14 W ie c k im pre sse d L eip zig ers w it h h is e n erg y a n d a m bit io n , a n d it w as a ssu m ed h e w ou ld go f a r.
Actin g w it h h is c u sto m ary c o n fid en ce a n d o ptim is m , J o h an n G ottlo b F rie d ric h Wie c k m ad e a p ra c tic al a n d d esir a b le m arria g e o n J u ne 2 3, 1 816. T he b rid e w as h is stu den t M aria n ne T ro m li t z , t h e h ig h -sp ir it e d n in ete en -y ear- o ld d au gh te r o f Chris tia n a F rie d erik e, n ee C arl, a n d G eo rg C hris tia n G otth old T ro m li t z ( 1 765– 1825), t h e c an to r in P la u en , a t o w n in s o u th east S ax o n y. M aria n ne’s g ra n dfa th er, 34 Jo h an n G eo rg e T ro m li t z , a le ad in g f lu tis t, c o m po se r, t e ac h er, a n d f lu te m ak er, h ad pla y ed s o lo f lu te in t h e G ro sse C on cert a n d w as w ell k n ow n in L eip zig a n d o th er Germ an m usic al c en te rs.
15 M ARIA N NE T RO M LIT Z W IE C K B ARG IE L , 1 797– 1872 It is c le ar t h at M aria n ne T ro m li t z w as a n u nco m mon ly t a le n te d y o u ng w om an .
In t h e f ir st y ear o f h er m arria g e, M ad am e W ie c k w as s in gin g s o lo s a t t h e w eek ly co n certs in t h e L eip zig G ew an dh au s. A r e v ie w o f M ozart’s Req u ie m , w hic h h ad been p erfo rm ed o n D ec em ber 1 5, 1 816, r e fe rre d t o t h e s o pra n o s o lo is t, M ad am e Wie c k , a s t h e y o u ng w if e o f a lo cal p ia n o t e ac h er, a n d p ra is e d h er v o ic e a n d “ sk ill, co n fid en ce, a n d d ili g en ce.” O n M arc h 1 3, 1 817, s h e s a n g a s o lo a t a G ew an dh au s perfo rm an ce o f t h e B eeth oven M ass in C , a n d s h e p erfo rm ed in o th er w ork s o n Marc h 2 7 a n d A pril 6 , 1 817.
16 W ie c k w as a lr e ad y a c q u ir in g a r e p u ta tio n t h ro u gh th e t a le n ts o f a f a m ily m em ber. H is p re stig e a s a b u sin essm an a n d p ia n o t e ac h er ro se w it h e ac h p erfo rm an ce M aria n ne g av e.
To a c h ie v e a n d m ain ta in a s u ccessf u l c are er, M aria n ne c o u ld n ot n eg le c t t h e pia n o. S h e c o n tin ued t o s tu dy ( p erh ap s w it h t h eir f r ie n d A do lp h B arg ie l) , su perv is e d t h e h ou se h old , a n d a ssis te d W ie c k b y t a k in g o n s tu den ts in v o ic e a n d pia n o. S in ce s h e w as t h e s k ille d p ia n is t in t h e f a m ily , s h e t a u gh t t h e a d van ced stu den ts . B etw een h ou se h old t a sk s a n d c o n cert e n gag em en ts ( sh e w as t h e f ir st o f Wie c k ’s s tu den ts t o p erfo rm a t t h e G ew an dh au s) 17 s h e g av e b ir th t o f iv e c h ild re n .
The f ir st, A delh eid , w as b o rn in 1 817, a f e w m on th s a fte r M aria n ne’s f ir st Gew an dh au s a p peara n ce. H er s e c o n d c h ild , C la ra , w as b o rn S ep te m ber 1 3, 1 819, so m e s ix te en m on th s a fte r t h e d eath o f A delh eid in P la u en . M aria n ne c o n tin ued her c are er a fte r C la ra ’s b ir th , a n d o n O cto ber 1 8, 1 821, a p peare d w it h t h e Gew an dh au s O rc h estr a , t h is t im e a s a p ia n is t, p la y in g F erd in an d R ie s’s C on certo in E-fla t. H er w ork w as n ot in te rru pte d b y t h e b ir th o f a t h ir d c h ild , A lw in , o n Augu st 2 7, 1 821, a n d o f s till a n oth er s o n , G usta v , o n J a n uary 3 1, 1 823. M aria n ne perfo rm ed a t t h e G ew an dh au s in O cto ber 1 822 a n d N ovem ber a n d D ec em ber 1823. H er N ovem ber p erfo rm an ce o f J o h n F ie ld ’s S ec o n d P ia n o C on certo w as re v ie w ed in t h e Allg em ein e m usik ali s ch e Z eit u ng in J u ly 1 824.
18 B y t h e t im e t h e re v ie w a p peare d , M ad am e W ie c k h ad h ad o n e m ore c h ild , V ic to r, b o rn F eb ru ary 22, 1 824, a n d h ad d ep arte d t h e b ed a n d b o ard o f F rie d ric h W ie c k .
On M ay 1 2, 1 824, M aria n ne T ro m li t z W ie c k r e tu rn ed t o h er f a th er’s h om e in Pla u en , t a k in g w it h h er h er in fa n t s o n o f t h re e m on th s ( w ho d id n ot s u rv iv e h is th ir d y ear) a n d h er o ld est c h ild , C la ra , t h en n ot q u it e f iv e y ears o ld . S ax o n la w 35 assig n ed t h e t h re e o ld er c h ild re n t o t h e c u sto dy o f t h e f a th er, s in ce t h ey w ere le g ally h is p ro perty .
19 W ie c k p erm it te d M aria n ne t o k eep C la ra u ntil h er f if th bir th day , b u t f o u r d ay s a fte r t h at d ate , o n S ep te m ber 1 7, t h e c h ild w as r e tu rn ed t o her f a th er in L eip zig . A n a p peal f r o m t h e h eartb ro ken M aria n ne b eg gin g W ie c k t o meet h er in S ep te m ber s o t h at C la ra c o u ld b e d eli v ere d “ fr o m m y h an ds t o y o u rs” was ig n ore d .
6 J o h an na S tr o bel, F rie d ric h ’s m aid , w as s e n t t o f e tc h t h e c h ild in Alt e n bu rg , a t o w n h alf w ay b etw een P la u en a n d L eip zig . A s o bbin g m oth er a n d gra n dm oth er a c co m pan ie d C la ra t o A lt e n bu rg , a n d t h ere s h e s a id g o od-b ye.
36 Maria n ne T ro m li t z , J u ne 7 , 1 816, s h ortly b efo re h er m arria g e. D ra w in g, in sc rib ed t o a c o u sin .
Cou rte sy o f H erm a S ta m m-B arg ie l.
Maria n ne T ro m li t z W ie c k a n d F rie d ric h W ie c k w ere g ra n te d a d iv o rc e o n Ja n uary 2 2, 1 825, a n d w it h in a f e w m on th s s h e w as t h e w if e o f A do lp h B arg ie l, 37 th e p ia n o t e ac h er w ho h ad b een W ie c k ’s c o lle ag u e in h is f ir st t u to ria l p o sit io n .
That s h e h ad b een in c o n ta c t w it h B arg ie l t h ro u gh t h e y ears is c le ar f r o m a le tte r fr o m M aria n ne’s f a th er t o W ie c k .
20 T ro m li t z a c k n ow le d ged t h at h is d au gh te r mig h t h av e b eh av ed d is h on ora b ly , b u t c h id ed W ie c k f o r le av in g M aria n ne a lo n e wit h B arg ie l s o m uch . W ie c k ’s d riv in g a m bit io n , v an it y , a n d e x p lo it a tio n o f h is yo u ng w if e n ev er c am e in to q u estio n .
The B arg ie ls r e m ain ed in t h e v ic in it y o f L eip zig f o r m ore t h an a y ear a fte r t h eir marria g e, a n d M aria n ne w as p erm it te d t o s e e h er c h ild re n d u rin g t h at t im e. C la ra alr e ad y d o m in ate d t h e f a m ily s c en e; t h ere is n o m en tio n o f h er b ro th ers in t h e qu eru lo u s le tte r W ie c k a d dre sse d t o t h e m oth er o f h is c h ild re n :
Mad am ! I a m se n din g y o u th e d eare st th in g in li f e still le ft to m e, w it h th e pro vis o , how ev er, th at yo u sa y noth in g, if po ssib le , ab o u t w hat has hap pen ed , o r th at y o u e x p re ss y o u rse lf sim ply , tr u th fu lly , an d at th e sa m e tim e cle arly , so th at th is gu ilt le ss, in nocen t, an d natu ra l cre atu re hears noth in g th at co u ld aro u se h er su sp ic io n s. F urth erm ore , y o u w ill g iv e th e ch ild li t tle p astr y a n d m ak e su re y o u d o n ot c o n do n e a n y n au gh tin ess. . . .
When sh e p ra c tic es, d o n ot allo w h er to ru sh . I e x p ec t th e m ost rig o ro u s ad h ere n ce to m y w is h es; if n ot, m y a n ger w ill b e in cu rre d . 7 N ov. 1 825.
21 7 So on a fte r t h is d o cu m en t w as d eli v ere d , t h e B arg ie ls e sta b li s h ed t h em se lv es in Berli n , w here A do lp h t o ok o ver t h e L ogie r I n stit u te , a p ia n o s c h ool e sta b li s h ed b y Jo h an n B ern hard L ogie r, a p ia n o p ed ag o gu e w ho h ad a b rilli a n t a n d in flu en tia l b u t sh ort- li v ed c are er in B erli n . T he m ove t o B erli n f u rth er li m it e d M aria n ne’s c o n ta c t wit h C la ra a n d h er t w o s o n s. I n D ec em ber 1 825 C la ra s u ffe re d a n oth er b lo w .
Jo h an na S tr o bel, t h e n urse m aid w ho h ad b een w it h t h e f a m ily s in ce b efo re C la ra ’s bir th , w as d is m is se d a n d a n ew h ou se k eep er in sta lle d . T hus w it h in a y ear t h e f iv e- year- o ld g ir l lo st t h e t w o w om en t o w hom s h e w as c lo se st. B oth w ere f r e qu en tly vili f ie d b y W ie c k ; in la te r y ears h e b la m ed a n y m is b eh av io r o n C la ra ’s p art o n “co n tr a rin ess” in herit e d f r o m h er m oth er a n d r e in fo rc ed b y J o h an na.
22 38 Cla ra c o rre sp o n ded w it h h er “ B erli n m oth er” a n d s a w h er f r o m t im e t o t im e, u su ally f o r s h ort vis it s w hen F ra u B arg ie l w as p assin g t h ro u gh L eip zig o n h er w ay t o P la u en .
8 L if e w as n ot e asy fo r F ra u B arg ie l. D iv o rc e w as u nco m mon a n d a lw ay s t h re w a s h ad o w o n t h e w om an . T he y o u ng moth er k n ew t h at s h e w ou ld lo se h er c h ild re n if s h e le ft W ie c k , b u t d esp era tio n f o rc ed t h e ch oic e; t h e p re ssu re s o f li v in g w it h W ie c k m ust h av e b een u nbeara b le . T hou gh t h ere is li t tle writ te n e v id en ce a b o u t t e n sio n s o r d is c o rd in t h e m arria g e, e n ou gh is k n ow n a b o u t W ie c k t o en ab le u s t o r e c o n str u ct t h e s it u atio n o f h is y o u ng w if e . I n t h e s e v en y ears o f t h eir m arria g e, s h e bo re f iv e c h ild re n , p ra c tic ed u nder h is s u perv is io n , s a n g a n d p la y ed p ro fe ssio n ally , a ssis te d h im 39 wit h p ia n o p u pils , h elp ed w it h t h e b u sin ess, a n d e n te rta in ed h is f r ie n ds a n d b u sin ess a sso cia te s.
Desp it e h is r a tio n ali s t e d u catio n , W ie c k ’s e m otio n s o fte n p re v aile d o ver r e aso n . H arsh a n d stu bbo rn , h e d o m in ate d , c o n tr o lle d , a n d u se d t h ose c lo se st t o h im . H is c u sto m ers a n d s tu den ts valu ed h im a n d h is s k ills b ec au se — it is v ery c le ar— he w as a m an o f u nco m mon in te lle c t a n d ta le n t. T here m ust h av e b een a b o n d b etw een t h e n in ete en -y ear- o ld M aria n ne a n d W ie c k a t t h eir marria g e in 1 816, b u t h is d em an ds a n d e x p ec ta tio n s, c o u ple d w it h in se n sit iv it y , c ru den ess, a n d a cru el t e m per, d ro ve h er t o f li g h t. O ne s u rv iv in g p o rtr a it o f t h e y o u ng M aria n ne d ep ic ts a w om an of s tr o n g c h ara c te r a n d d ete rm in atio n , t r a it s t h at C la ra in herit e d in f u ll.
Ado lp h B arg ie l, t h e m an t o w hom M aria n ne f le d , w as v ery d if fe re n t f r o m Wie c k , g en tle , a ffe c tio n ate , a n d e v id en tly u ndem an din g.
9 T hou gh h e h ad m ore music al e d u catio n a n d b ac k gro u nd t h an W ie c k , h e h ad le ss b u sin ess a c u m en , a n d he s u ffe re d a s e rie s o f b lo w s in B erli n . T he L ogie r I n stit u te , w hic h h ad b een pro sp erin g, w as f o rc ed t o c lo se in 1 830 b ec au se o f a c h ole ra e p id em ic ( a ll t h e stu den ts le ft t h e c it y ). S o on t h ere afte r h e s u ffe re d a s tr o ke f r o m w hic h h e n ev er fu lly r e c o vere d . H e d ie d o n F eb ru ary 4 , 1 841, le av in g M aria n ne w it h t h eir f o u r ch ild re n . S h e w as a b le t o m ain ta in t h e f a m ily b y g iv in g p ia n o le sso n s in B erli n a fte r his d eath a n d e n li s tin g t h e a id o f f r ie n ds. ( R obert S ch um an n w as o n e o f t h ose w ho help ed s u ppo rt h er d u rin g t h ose d if fic u lt y ears.) O ne o f t h e c h ild re n o f h er s e c o n d marria g e a c h ie v ed m usic al p ro m in en ce: W old em ar B arg ie l, a c o m po se r, p ia n is t, an d c o n du cto r, la te r b ec am e a c lo se f r ie n d a n d c o n fid an t o f h is h alf s is te r, C la ra .
In tim ac y b etw een C la ra a n d h er m oth er w as r e su m ed o n ly w hen s h e b ro ke w it h her f a th er, in 1 839. R obert S ch um an n, w ho h ad e n jo yed a c lo se r e la tio n sh ip w it h his o w n m oth er, g o t in t o u ch w it h M aria n ne B arg ie l. T hus C la ra , a t a g e t w en ty , re d is c o vere d h er m oth er a n d h er m oth er’s lo ve. A t t h at t im e s h e li v ed w it h h er moth er’s s is te r w hen s h e w as in L eip zig a n d w it h h er m oth er w hen s h e w as in Berli n . T here afte r s h e t u rn ed t o h er m oth er f o r h elp a t c ris e s t h ro u gh ou t h er li f e , an d M aria n ne a lw ay s r e sp o n ded w arm ly , im med ia te ly , a n d u nse lf is h ly .
10 C LA RA : T HE E ARLIE ST Y EA RS When C la ra w as b o rn , in S ep te m ber 1 819, h er f a th er c h ose h er n am e. H e f u lly ex p ec te d t h at C la ra — mean in g li g h t, b rilli a n ce— wou ld b e a g re at v ir tu osa , t r a in ed by h im f r o m b ir th . A nd in deed , b o th h ere d it a ry a n d e n vir o n m en ta l c o n dit io n s fa v o re d s u ch a d ev elo pm en t. T he s o u nds o f p ia n o m usic w ere h eard c o n tin uou sly in t h e W ie c k h ou se a s c u sto m ers t r ie d o u t t h e in str u m en ts in t h e s h op. P ia n o stu den ts c am e a n d w en t, a n d M aria n ne s p en t h ou rs p re p arin g f o r h er p erfo rm an ces.
The d aily r o u tin e in t h e W ie c k h ou se h old in clu ded a w alk o f s e v era l h ou rs, in whic h C la ra jo in ed w hen s h e w as t h re e. W ie c k t o ok it f o r g ra n te d t h at h is dau gh te r w ou ld k eep u p w it h t h e a d u lt s ; f o rtu nate ly , t h is s tu rd y c h ild w as a b le t o do s o . I t w as a r o u tin e t h at C la ra lo ved a n d o bse rv ed a ll h er li f e ; it w as a d aily 40 nec essit y f o r h er. I n deed , s h e a ttr ib u te d h er h ealt h a n d lo n gev it y t o t h is r e g u la r hab it .
Asid e f r o m t h e m usic al a c tiv it ie s o f t h e e ld er W ie c k s a n d t h e d aily w alk s, v ery li t tle is k n ow n a b o u t t h e f ir st f iv e y ears o f C la ra ’s li f e , b u t m uch c an b e in fe rre d .
An e n tr y o n P ag e 2 o f h er d ia ry , w hic h h er f a th er b eg an f o r h er w hen s h e w as se v en , r e p o rts t h e e x tr a o rd in ary f a c t t h at s h e d id n ot s p eak — not e v en s in gle w ord s —until s h e w as o ver f o u r y ears o ld . H er f a th er a ls o r e c o rd ed t h at s h e u ndersto od very li t tle . E ven w hen s h e f in ally b eg an t o s p eak , h er p are n ts a ssu m ed s h e w as h ard of h earin g b ec au se s h e w as s o s e lf a b so rb ed a n d a p peare d u nco n cern ed w it h w hat wen t o n a ro u nd h er. T he m yth t h at s h e w as d eaf a n d “ slo w ” a ro se a t t h is t im e, a n d se em ed t o b e c o m mon t a lk in L eip zig .
23 In t h e s p rin g b efo re s h e le ft h om e t o s p en d t h e la st f e w m on th s w it h h er moth er, W ie c k b eg an , d esp it e t h e “ d eafn ess,” t o t e ac h h er s o m e li t tle p ie c es b y e ar.
Sh e le arn ed t h e m usic w it h ou t d if fic u lt y ; it w as s p eec h — word s— th at s h e c o u ld not h ear. S o on a fte r s h e r e tu rn ed f r o m P la u en t o li v e w it h h er f a th er, f o rm al p ia n o le sso n s w it h t w o o th er g ir ls o f h er a g e c o m men ced . A t t h is t im e s h e b eg an t o s p eak fu ll s e n te n ces, b u t t h e “ d eafn ess” d id n ot t o ta lly d is a p pear u ntil s h e w as e ig h t.
11 We m ay a ssu m e t h at t h ere w as a g re at d eal o f e it h er a n gry t a lk o r t e n se s ile n ce du rin g C la ra ’s e arly y ears. W ie c k w as n ot a m an g iv en t o s e lf - c o n tr o l. H e ch ara c te riz e d h im se lf a s c au stic a n d b lu nt; in deed , h e g lo rie d in h is “u ncere m on io u s” b eh av io r.
24 H is t r e atm en t o f G usta v a n d A lw in w as o fte n c ru el an d p h ysic ally a b u siv e.
25 W hen C la ra d efie d h im , h is b it te r a n ger w as n ev er modu la te d . W hen s h e r e fu se d t o g iv e u p p la n s t o m arry R obert S ch um an n, W ie c k so u gh t r e v en ge b y s e n din g d efa m ato ry le tte rs a b o u t h er t o B erli n a n d H am bu rg , where s h e w as a b o u t t o p erfo rm . T he le tte rs, w hic h c ir c u la te d a m on g in flu en tia l music ia n s a n d m usic lo vers, d esc rib ed C la ra a s a “ d em ora li z e d , s h am ele ss g ir l w ho has o ppo se d h er f a th er in t h e m ost u nnatu ra l a n d s h ock in g m an ner,” a n d w arn ed th at o th er g ir ls s h ou ld b e g u ard ed le st t h ey b e “ p o is o n ed ” b y h er.
26 A nd h is e ffo rts to b esm ir c h t h e n am e o f S ch um an n c o n tin ued e v en a fte r C la ra h ad b ec o m e F ra u Sch um an n.
In v ie w o f W ie c k ’s d o cu m en te d c o n du ct t o w ard h is c h ild re n , w e m ay a ssu m e th at M aria n ne, t o o, s u ffe re d h is a n ger if s h e d ev ia te d f r o m h is e x p ec ta tio n s. A nd his e x p ec ta tio n s w ere o n ero u s: h is w if e w as t o b e a rtis t a n d t e ac h er a s w ell a s moth er a n d w if e , a n d w as t o s u bm it t o h is w ill in a ll t h in gs. C on sid erin g W ie c k ’s do m in eerin g p erso n ali t y a n d M aria n ne’s t a sk s, t h e p ro bab ili t y o f n orm al a n d fr ie n dly c o m munic atio n b etw een t h em in t h e e ig h t y ears o f t h eir m arria g e s e em s sm all in deed . J o h an na S tr o bel, t h e h ou se m aid in w hose c are C la ra w as le ft a n d w it h whom s h e f o rm ed a c lo se a tta c h m en t, w as d esc rib ed b y W ie c k h im se lf a s “ n ot 41 ta lk ativ e.” 27 T hus C la ra d id n ot h ear m uch s p eec h , t h e f ir st r e q u ir e m en t f o r le arn in g t o t a lk . A nd in a ll li k eli h ood, h er m oth er w as n ot o n ly o verw helm ed b y a ll her d u tie s b u t p ro bab ly t o o a n gry f o r t h e k in d o f p atie n t e x ch an ge c h ild re n n eed in ord er t o d ev elo p s p eec h . C la ra ’s “ d eafn ess” a n d “ se lf a b so rp tio n ” m ay w ell h av e se rv ed a s a b u ffe r a g ain st t h e t e n sio n s in t h e h ou se : it w ou ld b e m ore c o m fo rta b le to s h ut o u t w ord s t h an t o e n du re t h e s o u nds o f d is p le asu re a n d d is a p pro val. M usic , on t h e o th er h an d, w as n ot a n gry o r t h re ate n in g. I t w as s a fe . A ll h er li f e it w as t o be a s o la c e f r o m w hic h s h e c o u ld g ain r e li e f f r o m p ain a n d t r a g ed y.
Left w it h ou t a w if e , W ie c k t u rn ed t o h is f iv e-y ear- o ld d au gh te r a s t h e in str u m en t o f h is m usic al a m bit io n . S h e w as t o s h ow t h e w orld w hat F rie d ric h Wie c k c o u ld d o . T he g ir l r e sp o n ded n obly .
Wie c k d id n ot r e m arry f o r s o m e t im e. F or f o u r y ears C la ra a n d h er b ro th ers li v ed in a m oth erle ss h om e u nder t h e c are o f h er f a th er a n d s e rv an ts . D urin g t h is tim e s h e s tu die d w it h h er f a th er a n d r a p id ly g ain ed a tte n tio n a s a c h ild p ro dig y .
Her b ro th ers h ad n eit h er h er a p tit u de n or h er c o m pli a n t p erso n ali t y , a n d w ere la rg ely ig n ore d w hile C la ra , t h e e ld est c h ild a n d o n ly d au gh te r, d o m in ate d t h e hou se h old . W hen s h e w as n in e, W ie c k a t la st d ec id ed t o m arry a g ain . O n J u ly 3 , 1828, in t h e p re se n ce o f h is t h re e c h ild re n , h e m arrie d C le m en tin e F ec h ner, t h e tw en ty -th re e-y ear- o ld d au gh te r o f a p asto r, S am uel T ra u go tt F ec h ner.
28 T hre e day s a fte r t h e w ed din g, o n w hat p re su m ab ly w as t h eir h on ey m oon , W ie c k , Cle m en tin e, a n d C la ra v is it e d D re sd en , w here t h e c h ild g av e s o m e p riv ate perfo rm an ces.
At t h e t im e o f W ie c k ’s s e c o n d m arria g e, h is b u sin ess w as f ir m ly e sta b li s h ed a n d, th an ks t o h is d au gh te r ( a n d h is f ir st w if e ), h e a lr e ad y h ad a c o n sid era b le r e p u ta tio n as a p ia n o t e ac h er. C le m en tin e W ie c k f a c ed a f o rm id ab le a d versa ry in t h e p erso n o f her n in e-y ear- o ld s te p dau gh te r. T o t h e t w o m oth erle ss b o ys s h e m ay h av e b een a welc o m e a d dit io n t o t h e h ou se h old , b u t t o C la ra s h e w as a r iv al, a n d f o r t h e m ost part a n u nsu ccessf u l o n e. C le m en tin e w as in a n u nen via b le p o sit io n . C la ra n ev er re li n qu is h ed h er p o sit io n a s t h e s ta r. T he s te p m oth er r e m ain ed a t h om e w it h t h e oth er c h ild re n a n d r a n W ie c k ’s b u sin ess w hile h e w as o ff t o u rin g w it h C la ra . A ll his e n erg y a n d s k ills w ere d ev o te d t o h is e ld est c h ild , t h e m ost g if te d o f h is a n d Maria n ne’s t h re e s u rv iv in g c h ild re n . F or y ears t h e h ou se h old r e v o lv ed a b o u t h er an d h er n eed s: t h e s ilk g o w ns n ec essa ry f o r c o n certs , h er o w n r o om , s p ec ia l p ia n os bro u gh t f r o m V ie n na. A ll t h e f a th er’s e x p ec ta tio n s c en te re d o n t h is d au gh te r. T he tw o b o ys, in c o n tr a st, h av in g a lr e ad y lo st t h eir m oth er a t t h e a g es o f o n e a n d t h re e, were v ir tu ally b o ote d o u t o f t h e h ou se a s s o on a s t h ey w ere o ld e n ou gh t o s u rv iv e on t h eir o w n.
Cle m en tin e a n d F rie d ric h W ie c k h ad t h re e c h ild re n . M arie , b o rn in 1 832, w as gro om ed b y h er f a th er t o e m ula te C la ra . S h e a ls o p la y ed a t t h e G ew an d-h au s a n d 42 had a f a ir ly s u ccessf u l c are er a s a p ia n is t, e v en tu ally r e c eiv in g t h e t it le o f Furs tli c h e Hoh en z olle rn H of- u nd K am merv ir tu osin ( C ou rt P ia n is t t o t h e P rin ce o f Hoh en zo lle rn ). S h e n ev er a c h ie v ed t h e f a m e a n d b rilli a n t s u ccess o f h er o ld er h alf sis te r, a n d h er je alo u sy a n d h ostili t y w ere p o orly c o n ceale d in t h e b o ok s h e w ro te afte r C la ra ’s d eath , Aus d em K re is e W ie ck -S ch u m an n ( F ro m t h e W ie c k -S ch um an n Cir c le ). M arie W ie c k n ev er m arrie d . H er f a th er w as h er h ero , a n d, u nli k e h er h alf sis te r, s h e n ev er w it h dre w h er lo yalt y f r o m h im . T he o th er t w o c h ild re n o f t h e se c o n d m arria g e h ad s a d f a te s: o n e, C le m en s, d ie d a t a g e t h re e; t h e o th er, C ac ili e , li v ed t o 1 893 b u t w as m en ta lly ill.
Cle m en tin e W ie c k w as n ot a m usic ia n a n d f r o m a ll a c co u nts w as p o sse sse d o f gre at p atie n ce— tw o f a c ts t h at u ndo u bte d ly c o n tr ib u te d t o t h e s u ccess o f t h e marria g e, w hic h e n du re d f o rty -fiv e y ears. T he r e la tio n sh ip b etw een h er a n d h er ste p dau gh te r, o n t h e o th er h an d, w as, a s m ig h t b e e x p ec te d , a lw ay s s tr a in ed . W it h Cle m en tin e, C la ra a c te d o u t e m otio n s s h e c o n tr o lle d in h er f a th er’s p re se n ce.
(C le m en tin e is r a re ly m en tio n ed in t h e d ia ry b y e it h er F rie d ric h o r C la ra , a n d when h er n am e d o es a p pear, it is n ot a lw ay s in a c o m pli m en ta ry c o n te x t. C la ra co m men te d o n O cto ber 2 4, 1 833, f o r e x am ple , “ M y li t tle s is te r M arie s e em s t o b e a b o rn s in ger s in ce s h e s c re am s w hen M oth er— who s in gs o ff- k ey — sin gs. W hen I sin g, s h e la u gh s a n d li s te n s h ap pily .” ) W ie c k ’s le tte rs t o h is w if e in 1 830, 29 w hen he a n d C la ra e m bark ed o n t h e f ir st o f m an y t o u rs t h at w ere t o t a k e t h em a w ay fr o m h om e f o r s e v era l m on th s a t a t im e, in dic ate t h at C le m en tin e W ie c k w as a wom an o f in te lli g en ce, c u lt u re , a n d c ap ab ili t ie s. S h e m an ag ed t h e p ia n o b u sin ess du rin g h is a b se n ce, h an dle d t h e c o rre sp o n den ce, a n d a b o ve a ll, r e m ain ed co m ple te ly o bed ie n t.
The le tte rs a ls o r e v eal a n oth er s id e o f W ie c k ; h e h ad a s e n se o f h um or— earth y, at t im es e v en c o arse — an d n o h esit a tio n a b o u t e x p re ssin g it . H is h um or, v iv ac it y , an d p ra c tic al c o m mon s e n se , c o m bin ed w it h h is s e lf - c o n fid en ce a n d g en era lly ac k n ow le d ged t a le n t a s a t e ac h er, e x p la in h ow t h is o th erw is e f o rm id ab le m an c o u ld ch arm a n d g ain t h e r e sp ec t o f t h e m usic al c ir c le s o f L eip zig . H is p ed ag o gic al prin cip le s, p u bli s h ed in 1 853 in a s m all b o ok, Cla vie r u nd G esa n g , w ere s u ccessf u lly ap pli e d t o h is d o cile a n d w illi n g p u pil C la ra , a n d g ain ed h im w orld w id e f a m e.
1 All h er k n ow n w ork s a re li s te d in t h e C ata lo gu e o f W ork s.
2 It w as a f o rtu nate m eetin g: M ilc h m ey er ( 1 750– 1813), p ia n is t a n d t e ac h er, w as a f ig u re o f co n sid era b le p ro m in en ce t o b e t e ac h in g in T org au . I n a d dit io n t o a t r e atis e p u bli s h ed in 1 797, Die wah re A rt, d as P ia n ofo rte z u s p ie le n , h e w as t h e e d it o r o f a c o lle c tio n o f p ia n o w ork s. H e h eld t h e tit le o f Hofm ech an ik u s t o t h e e le c to r o f B av aria b ec au se o f a s p ec ia lly c o n str u cte d p ia n o h e in ven te d . S ee E rn st L udw ig G erb er, Neu es h is to ris ch -b io gra p h is ch es L ex ik on d er T on ku nstle r , 4 v o ls .
(L eip zig : K uhnel, 1 812– 14), 3 :4 28– 29.
43 3 In Gesch ic h te d er G ew an dh au sco n ce rte z u L eip z ig v om 2 5. N ov em ber 1 781 b is 2 5. N ov em ber 1 881 (L eip zig , 1 884), 1 5, 2 51, A lf r e d D orffe l p o in ts o u t t h at t h e n am e o f t h e b u ild in g in w hic h t h e co n certs w ere h eld r e fle c ts t h e f a c t t h at c lo th (G ew an d) w as s o m etim es s to re d t h ere , b u t t h at it ac tu ally w as a m ult ip u rp o se b u ild in g t h at a ls o h ou se d t h e c it y li b ra ry , w it h it s m ag n if ic en t co lle c tio n o f m an usc rip ts .
4 Acco rd in g t o e n tr ie s in h er d ia ry , C la ra h eard , a m on g o th er w ork s, W eb er’s Obero n a n d Sp o h r’s Der B erg geis t in 1 826, M ozart’s Die Z au berflo te in 1 827, a n d S p o h r’s Fau st in 1 828. I n 1 831 sh e h eard B eeth oven ’s Fid eli o , t h re e o pera s b y R ossin i, a n d o pera s b y W eig l a n d A uber. A ll in a ll, sh e h eard a t le ast t h ir ty o pera s b etw een 1 826 a n d 1 838.
5 The h ou se , b u ilt in 1 695, h ad o rig in ally b een a g u esth ou se a n d la te r h ou se d a w in esh op. I t was s till s ta n din g b efo re W orld W ar I I b u t n o lo n ger e x is ts .
6 The le tte r r e p ro du ced in L it z m an n, 1 :3 – 4, is id en tic al t o M aria n ne’s n ote in R SH ( 5 966-A 2) ex cep t f o r o n e p h ra se ( it a li c iz e d h ere ), w hic h f o r s o m e u nkn ow n r e aso n w as o m it te d . T he m oth er wro te , “ D u b este h st d ara u f d ie C la ra je tz t z u h ab en , n un s e i e s, in G otte sn am en , ic h h ab e A lle s ver- su ch t d ic h z u e rw eic h en , mag d as H erz m ir b re ch en , D u s o lls t s ie h ab en ; je d o ch m ein er M utte r- re c h te b eg ab e ic h m ic h n ic h t” ( Y ou in sis t o n h av in g C la ra n ow , s o b e it , in G od’s n am e, I h av e tr ie d in e v ery w ay t o s o fte n y o u r s ta n d, a n d th ou gh m y h ea rt m ay b re a k , y o u s h all h av e h er; b u t a t th e s a m e t im e, I d o n ot r e n ou nce m y r ig h ts a s a m oth er).
7 Wie c k a d dre sse s h is w if e in t h e f o rm al m an ner, a s Sie .
8 Bio gra p h ers h av e a ssu m ed t h at C la ra d efin it iv ely lo st h er m oth er w hen s h e w en t t o li v e w it h her f a th er. H er d ia ry e n tr ie s m ak e it c le ar t h at t h ey m ain ta in ed c o n ta c t w it h e ac h o th er.
9 Augu st A do lp h B arg ie l w as b o rn in S ile sia o n N ovem ber 1 , 1 783. I a m in deb te d t o H erm a Sta m m-B arg ie l f o r in fo rm atio n a b o u t h im a n d t h e B arg ie l f a m ily .
10 That C la ra u lt im ate ly u ndersto od h er m oth er’s t r a g ed y is c le ar f r o m t h e a ttit u des s h e h eld a s a m atu re w om an t o w ard d iv o rc e a n d t h e c u sto dy la w s. I n M ay 1 895, s h e w ro te B ra h m s t h at a re c en tly d iv o rc ed w om an a c q u ain ta n ce h ad f le d t h e c o u ntr y in o rd er t o k eep h er e ld est s o n ; C la ra Sch um an n a p pro ved (C S/JB B rie fe , 2 :5 83).
11 In v ie w o f t h e a b ili t ie s t h at C la ra m an if e ste d la te r, t h is m ay h av e b een w hat D r. A nna Burto n t e rm s “ se le c tiv e m utis m ,” c au se d b y e m otio n al c o n fli c ts .
44 CH APT ER 2 45 Cla ra ’s C are er B eg in s T he g ir lh ood d ia rie s o f C la ra W ie c k are an u npara lle le d so u rc e o f in fo rm atio n a b o u t h er ed u catio n , c are er, an d th e m usic ia n s an d m usic al li f e sh e k n ew . M ost s ig n if ic an t, h ow ev er, is w hat th ey re v eal a b o u t F rie d ric h W ie c k a n d th e n atu re o f t h e re la tio n sh ip b etw een fa th er an d d au gh te r. U ntil sh e w as eig h te en y ears o ld , a lm ost ev ery d ia ry en tr y w as w rit te n o r su perv is e d b y h er fa th er. T he tit le p ag e r e ad s: “ M y d ia ry , b eg u n b y m y f a th er, th e s e v en th o f Ju ne 1 827, a n d c o n tin ued b y C la ra Jo se p h in e W ie c k .” 1 T hus C la ra w as se v en y ears o ld w hen th e d ia ry , w hic h w as to be th e “d eare st co m pan io n ” of her li f e , beg an .
1 T he dia ry is vis ib le e v id en ce o f W ie c k ’s d o m in atio n .
2 O n M ay 2 4, 1 831, h e w ro te in C la ra ’s n am e, “ F ro m n ow o n , I w ill w rit e in m y d ia ry m yse lf , w hen ev er I h av e t h e t im e.” B ut h e m ad e certa in th at sh e h ad v ery li t tle tim e. T hose se c tio n s th at w ere w rit te n b y C la ra w ere ex am in ed by her fa th er; he fr e q u en tly m ad e em en datio n s an d c o m men ts in th e m arg in s. M an y o f th e e n tr ie s in h er h an d w ere p ain sta k in g c o pie s o f th e a c erb ic le tte rs h e w ro te to a sso cia te s, fr ie n ds, a n d e n em ie s, le tte rs in w hic h h e m ad e d em an ds, th re ate n ed , c astig ate d , d en ig ra te d , a n d d en ou nced . C la ra c o pie d a n gry le tte rs to th e G ew an dh au s d ir e c to ra te re g ard in g h er fe es, le tte rs to ed it o rs c o m pla in in g a b o u t h er r e v ie w s, a rg u m en ts o ver m on ey o w ed h er f a th er.
Wie c k u se d t h e d ia rie s a s a w ay o f c o m munic atin g w it h a n d e d u catin g h is c h ild ; h e p re ac h ed a n d p h ilo so ph iz e d . I n fo rm atio n , p ra is e , r e p ro ac h , c o n dem natio n , e x h orta tio n a re a ll c le arly s e en in h is b la c k , b o ld h an dw rit in g, b u t h e persis te d in u sin g t h e f ir st p erso n t h ro u gh ou t, a s t h ou gh C la ra w ere w rit in g; h e e v en r e fe rre d t o h im se lf a s “ F ath er.” M ost s ta rtli n g is t h e w ay h e s e em ed t o b e t a k in g o ver h er p erso n al id en tit y .
46 Cover o f C la ra ’s Tageb u ch ( d ia ry ), w it h h an dw rit in g o f F rie d ric h W ie c k a n d C la ra W ie c k . R obert- Sch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au .
A r e v eali n g e n tr y w rit te n b y W ie c k in D re sd en o n J u ne 1 7, 1 834, r e ad s: “ F ath er arriv ed b y c o ac h a t s e v en in t h e e v en in g. I f le w in to h is a rm s a n d t o ok h im r ig h t t o th e [ H ote l] S ta d t F ra n kfu rt.” O n F eb ru ary 2 8, 1 833, h e n ote d , “ I p la y ed t h e “B ra v o u r” V aria tio n s o f H erz ( w it h ou t r e h earsa l) a n d H um mel’ s D -M in or S ep te t 47 in t h e 1 8th s u bsc rip tio n c o n cert. E very th in g w as r e c eiv ed w it h g re at a p pla u se .” A fe w m on th s la te r, o n A pril 2 9, 1 833 ( C la ra w as t h en a lm ost f o u rte en y ears o ld ), w e fin d, “ M y o w n c o n cert in t h e G ew an dh au s. . . . T here w as a f in e a rtic le a b o u t m e in t h e Tageb la tt. ” O n t h e r a re o ccasio n s o n w hic h h e w ro te a s F rie d ric h W ie c k , h is dau gh te r is r e fe rre d t o a s “ m y C la ra .” Only w hen C la ra le ft h om e a t t h e a g e o f n in ete en d id t h e d ia ry f in ally b ec o m e her o w n. T he la st n ote b o ok, b eg u n o n A pril 2 0, 1 838, a c co m pan ie d h er t o P aris on h er f ir st in dep en den t t o u r a n d e n ded t h e d ay a fte r h er m arria g e— Sep te m ber 1 3, 1840, h er t w en ty -fir st b ir th day . W ie c k r e ta in ed p o sse ssio n o f a ll h er o th er ch ild h ood d ia rie s u ntil M arc h 1 859, w hen h e f in ally h an ded t h em o ver t o h er. B y th e t im e h e w as a b le t o p art w it h t h is r e c o rd o f h er e arly y ears, s h e w as a f o rty - year- o ld w id o w w it h s e v en c h ild re n .
A n ot u nin te n ded e ffe c t o f t h is k in d o f d ia ry k eep in g w as a p ra c tic al e d u catio n :
by c o pyin g h is le tte rs a n d r e ad in g h is e n tr ie s in h er d ia ry , C la ra le arn ed h ow t o man ag e a c o rre sp o n den ce a n d a rra n ge a c o n cert t o u r. S h e a ls o a b so rb ed — th ro u gh her e y es, e ars, a n d f in gers— her f a th er’s a ttit u des t o w ard m on ey a n d s u ccess a n d so m eth in g o f h is c o m petit iv e p erso n ali t y a n d c o n tr o lli n g s p ir it .
The d ia ry f o r 1 838– 40 is u niq u e in t h at it f u rn is h es a n in tim ate r e c o rd o f h er th ou gh ts w it h ou t h er f a th er’s in te rv en tio n . A fte r h er m arria g e a n d u ntil 1 844, t h e co u ple k ep t a jo in t d ia ry , w hic h is e x ta n t. A nd t h ou gh , li k e m an y n in ete en th - cen tu ry d ia ris ts , C la ra c o n sid ere d h er jo u rn al a p art o f h erse lf — it w as a t o n ce a mean s o f c o m munic atio n , a c o n fe ssio n al, a n d a c ath arsis — th e la te r o n es, t h ose fr o m 1 844 t o 1 896, c an not b e f o u nd.
3 In an 1 831 le tte r to h is w if e , w rit te n d u rin g C la ra ’s fir st ex te n ded to u r, W ie c k desc rib ed a sc en e w it h a Fra u Sch m id t, th e in flu en tia l w if e of a W eim ar go vern m en t o ffic ia l. S h e re p ro ac h ed h im fo r a llo w in g C la ra to p erfo rm so m uch an d n ot g iv in g h er tim e to p la y w it h o th er c h ild re n . H e re p li e d an grily , “ I h av e th ou gh t a b o u t e d u catio n fo r tw en ty -fiv e y ears a n d p u t m y th eo rie s in to p ra c tic e.
For th e la st se v en y ears I h av e li v ed o n ly fo r th e ed u catio n o f m y d au gh te r. If, how ev er, I still n eed ad vic e, I w ill ask fo r it at th e rig h t tim e— an d u ntil th en I dec li n e to a c cep t a n y.” S h e, o f c o u rse , fe lt in su lt e d , a n d sa id sh e w ou ld n ot g iv e him th e le tte rs o f in tr o du ctio n p re p are d b y h er h usb an d. T hou gh h e b eg ged h er pard o n fo r h is ru de w ord s, h e co u ld n ot re fr a in fr o m en din g th e en co u nte r b y sa y in g: “I m ust te ll yo u , h ow ev er, th at I w ou ld ra th er n ot ac cep t ad vic e an d ped ag o gic al p re c ep ts , e sp ec ia lly f r o m a w om an , u ntil I a sk f o r it .” 2 4 Wie c k w as ju stly p ro u d o f h is s k ill in t e ac h in g. H e h ad d ev elo ped p ed ag o gic al th eo rie s d u rin g h is y ears a s a t u to r, a n d h is a p pro ac h t o h is d au gh te r’s in str u ctio n was c are fu lly c o n sid ere d ; it w as a p la n ned p ro gra m t h at in clu ded s u perv is io n o f h er 48 ev ery w ak in g h ou r. F ro m t h e m om en t C la ra w as r e tu rn ed t o h er f a th er’s h om e, a fe w d ay s a fte r h er f if th b ir th day , s h e w as in t r a in in g.
Wie c k b eg an t o w ork w it h h er a lo n e in t h e s p rin g o f 1 825. S h e d id n ot le arn t o re ad m usic d u rin g h er f ir st y ear o f in str u ctio n ( th ou gh s h e le arn ed t o w rit e n ote s).
Sm all p ie c es, w rit te n e x p re ssly f o r h er, e n co u ra g ed h er t o c o n cen tr a te o n p o sit io n , music al p h ra sin g, a n d a “ sin gin g” t o n e, a n d p ro vid ed a f a m ili a rit y w it h t h e key b o ard t h at a c co u nte d f o r t h e f a c ili t y a n d e ase s h e k ep t t o t h e e n d o f h er li f e . A t th e a g e o f s e v en s h e w as a t t h e p ia n o f o r t h re e h ou rs a d ay — on e h ou r f o r a le sso n an d t w o f o r p ra c tic e.
Her m eag er g en era l e d u catio n w as s q u eeze d in to t h e h ou rs b etw een t h e p ia n o an d t h e d aily w alk s. F or s ix m on th s b eg in nin g in J a n uary 1 825 s h e a tte n ded a neig h bo rh ood p rim ary s c h ool r u n b y a D em ois e lle M arb ac h , a n d t h en s h e w as s e n t to t h e N oac k I n stit u te , a la rg er e sta b li s h m en t, f o r p erh ap s a n oth er y ear. W ie c k deli b era te ly li m it e d h er h ou rs o f s c h ool a tte n dan ce; h e g av e h er a le sso n e v ery morn in g b efo re s c h ool a n d o fte n a n a d dit io n al o n e in t h e a fte rn oon . T he m on th s at t h e t w o p rim ary s c h ools c o n stit u te d h er o n ly f o rm al e d u catio n . T hus s h e la c k ed th e u su al o ppo rtu nit ie s f o r s o cia l in te rc o u rse w it h h er c o n te m po ra rie s, o bvio u sly not a n im po rta n t c o n sid era tio n f o r h er f a th er.
In Cla vie r u nd G esa n g , t h e t r e atis e W ie c k w ro te in 1 853, h e e x p la in ed :
My d au gh te rs a lw ay s h ad a sp ec ia l tu to r w it h w hom I w ork ed so th at w it h ju st a fe w h ou rs a d ay , th eir g en era l e d u catio n c o u ld k eep p ac e w it h th eir artis tic tr a in in g an d still le av e en ou gh tim e to ex erc is e ou td o ors an d str e n gth en th eir b o die s, w hile o th er c h ild re n h av e to sw eat fo r n in e h ou rs a day o n sc h ool b en ch es a n d p ay fo r th is w it h th e lo ss o f th eir h ealt h a n d a hap py c h ild h ood.
3 Wie c k ’s g o al w as t o c re ate a v ir tu osa . T o a c h ie v e t h is g o al, h e w ro te , “ th e whole e d u catio n f r o m t h e e arli e st y o u th m ust b e p la n ned a c co rd in gly .” 4 5 C la ra le arn ed w hat h er f a th er t h ou gh t s h e n eed ed t o k n ow — re ad in g, w rit in g, a n d, w it h priv ate t u to rs, F re n ch a n d E ngli s h , t h e la n gu ag es r e q u ir e d f o r t h e c o n cert t o u rs Wie c k e x p ec te d t o a rra n ge f o r h er. I n a d dit io n t h ere w ere p riv ate le sso n s in t h eo ry an d h arm on y w it h C hris tia n T heo do re W ein li g , c an to r o f t h e S t. T hom as C hurc h , an d c o m po sit io n w it h H ein ric h D orn , d ir e c to r o f t h e L eip zig O pera ; s h e h ad le sso n s w it h o u ts ta n din g t e ac h ers in t h e c it ie s w here s h e t o u re d , s tu dyin g co u nte rp o in t w it h S ie g fr ie d D eh n in B erli n , f o r e x am ple . S h e w as s e n t t o D re sd en to s tu dy o rc h estr a tio n w it h C arl R eis sig er, t h e k ap ellm eis te r, a n d v o ic e w it h J o h an n Alo ys M ik sc h , t h e r e n ow ned v o ic e t e ac h er. W ie c k h ad h er t a k e v io li n le sso n s a n d stu dy s c o re r e ad in g w it h L eip zig t e ac h ers, a n d p ro vid ed s o m e s e ssio n s in r e li g io n t o 49 pre p are h er f o r c o n fir m atio n a t a g e f o u rte en . T hese le sso n s r o u nded o u t h er ed u catio n a s W ie c k c o n ceiv ed it . T here w as n ot m uch t im e f o r c h ild is h p la y o r re ad in g, b u t e n ou gh f o r m an y e v en in gs o f c o n certs , o pera , a n d d ra m a. B eg in nin g at t h e a g e o f s ix , s h e s a w a lm ost e v ery o pera m ou nte d in L eip zig , a n d W ie c k m ad e a p o in t o f a tte n din g t h e o pera in e v ery c it y in w hic h t h ey t o u re d . S h e p re p are d f o r th ese p erfo rm an ces b y s tu dyin g t h e s c o re s a t t h e p ia n o w it h h er f a th er.
Befo re s h e w as n in e, C la ra w as a m em ber o f t h e m usic c ir c le t h at m et a t t h e Wie c k s’.
5 I n 1 828 t h e g ro u p in clu ded F rie d ric h H ofm eis te r a n d H ein ric h P ro bst, music p u bli s h ers; H ein ric h M arsc h ner, c o m po se r; D r. E rn st A ugu st C aru s, a ph ysic ia n a n d m usic lo ver; a n d G ottf r ie d F in k, e d it o r o f t h e Allg e-m ein e m usik ali s ch e Zeit u ng . A v is it o r r e c alle d m an y y ears la te r, “ W ie c k ’s h om e w as a lw ay s t h e gath erin g p la c e f o r lo cal a n d v is it in g m usic ia n s a n d f r ie n ds o f m usic . E very co m po se r a n d v ir tu oso w ho c am e t o L eip zig f o u nd t h at t h e m orn in g o r e v en in g gath erin gs t h ere o ffe re d t h e b est o ppo rtu nit y t o p la y a n d t o h ear n ew t h in gs. T he so u l o f t h e e n tir e p ro ceed in gs w as F ath er W ie c k , w ho, w hen h e w as in a g o od mood, s p ark le d w it h h um or.” 6 R obert S ch um an n, w ho a rriv ed in L eip zig f o r a perm an en t s ta y in 1 830, jo in ed t h e W ie c k c ir c le a n d s a w t h e f a m ily a lm ost e v ery day .
Fra u W ie c k d id n ot t a k e p art in t h ese m usic ale s, b u t C la ra , w ho w as a m ore sk illf u l p ia n is t t h an h er f a th er, w as v ery m uch in e v id en ce, p la y in g o ld a n d n ew work s. T he a rtis t J o h an n L yse r, a f r ie n d o f S ch um an n, r e m em bere d , “ W hat c o u ld matc h t h ose e v en in gs w hen F ra n cilla P ix is [ sin ger a n d d au gh te r o f t h e c o m po se r Jo h an n P ix is ] a n d t h at Wunderm ad ch en C la ra s a n g a n d p la y ed t o geth er? ” 7 W ie c k deli b era te ly s lo w ed t h e p ac e o f p u bli c a p peara n ces. C la ra p la y ed w it h p ro fe ssio n al music ia n s, b u t t h e f ir st p erfo rm an ces w ere a t h om e a n d f o r L eip zig a n d D re sd en fr ie n ds. O n D ec em ber 2 6, 1 829, f o r e x am ple , W ie c k m ad e t h is e n tr y in t h e d ia ry :
“W e h ad g u ests f o r w hom I p la y ed m y o w n v aria tio n s a n d t h en , w it h A lw in (v io li n ) a n d G usta v ( g lo ck en sp ie l) , p erfo rm ed m y t h re e w alt z e s f o r t h e t h re e o f u s.
And w it h H err C . K ra e g en , w ho w as v is it in g f r o m D re sd en , I p la y ed h is p o lo n ais e s fo r f o u r h an ds.” Wit h h er f ir st a p peara n ce a t t h e G ew an dh au s, o n O cto ber 2 0, 1 828, C la ra , li k e her m oth er b efo re h er, b ro u gh t W ie c k in to t h e p u bli c e y e. A lt h ou gh h er p art in th e c o n cert w as m in or ( sh e p la y ed a d u et w it h E m ili e R eic h old , a n oth er W ie c k stu den t) , s h e— alo n g w it h h er f a th er— was m en tio n ed in t h e Allg em ein e m usik ali s ch e Zeit u ng’s r e v ie w o f t h e c o n cert:
50 Cla ra W ie c k , a g e 8 , o n e y ear b efo re h er f ir st a p peara n ce a t t h e L eip zig G ew an dh au s. C olo re d min ia tu re o n iv o ry , a rtis t u nkn ow n. R obert- S ch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au .
It w as e sp ec ia lly p le asin g to h ear th e y o u ng, m usic ally ta le n te d C la ra W ie k [sic ], ju st n in e y ears o ld , p erfo rm ... to u niv ersa l an d w ell- e arn ed ap pla u se Kalk bre n ner’s V aria tio n s o n a M arc h fr o m M ose s. W e m ay en te rta in th e gre ate st h opes f o r th is c h ild w ho h as b een tr a in ed u nder th e d ir e c tio n o f h er 51 ex p erie n ced fa th er, w ho u ndersta n ds th e art o f p ia n o p la y in g so w ell an d te ac h es w it h d ev o tio n a n d g re at s k ill.
8 Cla ra ’s f ir st a p peara n ces o u ts id e t h e f a m ili a r c ir c le s o f h er h om e t o ok p la c e in Dre sd en b etw een M arc h 6 a n d A pril 7 , 1 830. T he u lt im ate p u rp o se o f t h e t r ip w as cle arly s e t f o rth b y W ie c k in le tte rs t o h is w if e : t h ey w ere t h ere t o m ak e co n nec tio n s t h at w ou ld e n ab le t h em t o p la y a t c o u rt a n d t o o bta in in tr o du ctio n s t o th e la rg er a n d m ore p ro m in en t B erli n a n d V ie n na c o u rts .
Fath er a n d d au gh te r p erfo rm ed p erfe c tly ; C la ra w on a ll h earts a n d W ie c k w as besie g ed b y r e q u ests t o g iv e le sso n s a n d s h are t h e s e c re ts o f h is s u ccess. M ore o ver, he w ro te h is w if e , t h e c o gn osc en ti f o u nd it v ery “ n oble ” o f h im t o r e je c t o ffe rs o f pu bli c c o n certs . H e w as b id in g h is t im e.
Cla ra w as in vit e d e v ery w here ; a ris to cra tic la d ie s v ie d w it h e ac h o th er in besto w in g r in gs, c h ain s, a n d e arrin gs o n t h e t e n -y ear- o ld c h ild ; o ld er g ir ls a n d t it le d la d ie s c am e t o f ix h er h air . W ie c k w as c are fu l t o s e e t h at h er h ead w as n ot t u rn ed by t h e p ra is e a n d c o m pli m en ts . “ If I n otic e a n yth in g t h e le ast b it d am ag in g, I w ill le av e im med ia te ly , s o t h at s h e c an b e in p ro per m id dle -c la ss s u rro u ndin gs. I a m t o o pro u d o f h er u npre te n tio u sn ess t o e x ch an ge it f o r a n y w orld ly h on ors.” 9 So s u ccessf u l w as t h e t r ip t h at W ie c k s e rio u sly c o n sid ere d m ovin g t o D re sd en , where h e f e lt m ore a p pre c ia tio n w ou ld b e s h ow n f o r h is t a le n ts . O n M arc h 1 9, 1830, h e w ro te t o h is w if e :
The se n sa tio n th e tw o a p es fr o m th e L eip zig m en ag erie a re m ak in g h ere is not to be desc rib ed . In L eip zig , th ey are to o am az e d an d to o nasty to understa n d th e uniq u e qu ali t ie s of th is go ose am on g so m an y geese , to re ali z e w hat an ex tr a o rd in ary ch ild C la ra is , an d ev en le ss th at y o u r F rit z fr o m P re tz sc h co u ld p o sse ss an d ed u cate th is v ery sa m e C la ra . E very o n e assu re s u s th at y o u r tw o a p es a re th e ta lk o f th e c o u rt a n d th e to w n. I t s e em s to h av e o n ly th e b est effe c t o n C la ra b ec au se sh e is p la y in g w it h a se lf - assu ra n ce th at sh e h as n ev er sh ow n b efo re a n d sh e is , a n d r e m ain s, th e C la ra of o ld .
10 The s u m mer o f 1 830 w as s p en t in p re p ara tio n f o r h er f ir st s o lo c o n cert in Leip zig , b u t t h e e v en ts o f t h e y ear c au se d m ore t h an o n e c h an ge in p la n s.
Rep erc u ssio n s o f t h e J u ly R ev o lu tio n in P aris , t h e u pris in gs in P ola n d, a n d t h e su bse q u en t d is tu rb an ces in D re sd en r e ac h ed L eip zig ; C la ra ’s c o n cert, o rig in ally sc h ed u le d f o r S ep te m ber, w as p o stp o n ed t o N ovem ber. M ean w hile , a n oth er e v en t th at w as t o h av e p ro fo u nd s ig n if ic an ce in C la ra ’s li f e t o ok p la c e: in O cto ber a n ew 52 pu pil- b o ard er n am ed R obert S ch um an n m oved in to t h e W ie c k h ou se h old .
Sch um an n h ad r e tu rn ed t o L eip zig a fte r a s h ort in te rlu de in H eid elb erg , w here h e had g o n e o ste n sib ly t o s tu dy la w ; n ow h e in te n ded t o d ev o te h im se lf t o m usic .
Pia n o ( A ndre as S te in ) u se d b y C la ra W ie c k a t h er f ir st G ew an dh au s c o n cert, O cto ber 2 0, 1 828.
The p ia n o w as r e b u ilt in 1 996. R obert- S ch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au .
53 Pro gra m , O cto ber 2 0, 1 828, L eip zig . C la ra W ie c k ’s f ir st c o n cert a t t h e G ew an dh au s. R obert- 54 Sch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au .
Poli t ic al e v en ts a n d e v en t h e h an dso m e n ew b o ard er w ere o f le sse r im po rta n ce th an C la ra ’s f ir st s o lo c o n cert, w hic h t o ok p la c e a t t h e G ew an dh au s o n N ovem ber 8, 1 830. W ie c k g av e t h e L eip zig a u die n ce w hat w as e x p ec te d o f a v ir tu oso a rtis t, an d s e c u re d t h e f in an cia l r e tu rn s a n d t h e r e v ie w s h e h oped f o r. C la ra , “ th e e le v en - year- o ld d au gh te r o f a lo cal p ia n o d eale r a n d e x p ert p ia n o t e ac h er,” w as h aile d f o r her t a le n t, in du str y , a n d e x celle n t in str u ctio n .
11 The s u ccess o f t h e G ew an dh au s c o n cert a n d a d dit io n al D re sd en a p peara n ces sp u rre d W ie c k ’s a m bit io n s. C on vin ced t h at C la ra w as r e ad y f o r P aris , t h e c en te r o f th e m usic al w orld a t t h at t im e, h e p re p are d t o le av e h is p re g n an t w if e a n d o th er ch ild re n , h is p u pils , a n d h is b u sin ess a n d d ev o te h im se lf w holly t o C la ra ’s c are er.
His n ot u nw illi n g d au gh te r w as s e t t o s tu dyin g n ew m usic a n d F re n ch t o pre p are f o r t h e b ig c o n cert t o u r t h at w ou ld t a k e h er t o P aris a n d, h er f a th er h oped , in te rn atio n al r e n ow n. F ath er a n d d au gh te r d ep arte d a t t h e e n d o f S ep te m ber 1 831.
Tra v eli n g n ig h t a n d d ay ( W ie c k w ou ld n ot p art w it h a n e x tr a g ro sc h en m ere ly f o r co m fo rt) , t h ey jo lt e d t h ro u gh T hurin gia t o K asse l a n d F ra n kfu rt a n d t h en ce th ro u gh D arm sta d t a n d M ain z t o P aris , n ot t o r e tu rn u ntil t h e f o llo w in g M ay .
Their f ir st s to p, o n ly a d ay ’s t r ip b y c o ac h , w as W eim ar, w here , t h ro u gh t h e effo rts o f a m usic -lo vin g o ffic ia l, C la ra p la y ed a t p riv ate h om es a n d s tir re d J o h an n Wolf g an g v o n G oeth e’s in te re st. T he g re at p o et, w ho h ad h eard m an y c h ild pro dig ie s in h is d ay , w as m ore t h an c o rd ia l a n d g av e t h em a n a c co la d e W ie c k h ad hard ly d are d h ope f o r: a m ed al w it h h is p o rtr a it a n d a n ote in sc rib ed : “ F or t h e gif te d a rtis t C la ra W ie c k .” H er f a th er’s t a le n ts w ere n ot o verlo oked . I n a w rit te n ded ic atio n , t h e g re at p o et t h an ked h im f o r h is “ m aste rly m usic al e n te rta in m en t.” 12 6 Wie c k b eli e v ed t h at n o m usic ia n h ad e v er b een s o h ig h ly h on ore d b y G oeth e (h e w as o bvio u sly u naw are o f t h e im pac t o n t h e p o et o f t h e t w elv e-y ear- o ld Men dels so h n s o m e t e n y ears e arli e r), a n d a sk ed h is w if e t o b e s u re t o t e ll F rie d ric h Hofm eis te r, t h e m usic p u bli s h er, t h at C la ra h ad p la y ed a t t h e W eim ar c o u rt a n d tw ic e f o r G oeth e. H e c o n tin ually r e m in ded h er o f t h e n eed t o h av e C la ra ’s s u ccess men tio n ed in t h e n ew sp ap ers a n d r e q u este d t h at H ofm eis te r a n d R obert S ch um an n (a lr e ad y in vo lv ed in m usic al jo u rn ali s m ) d o w hat t h ey c o u ld a b o u t p u bli c it y .
They s u cceed ed . A r e v ie w f r o m t h e W eim ar c o rre sp o n den t a p peare d in t h e Allg em ein e m usik ali s ch e Z eit u ng in M arc h 1 832:
Even in h er fir st p ie c e, th e artis t w ho is still so y o u ng re ap ed th underin g ap pro val th at m ou nte d to en th usia sm in th e w ork s th at fo llo w ed . A nd in deed , th e g re at sk ill, a ssu ra n ce, a n d str e n gth w it h w hic h sh e p la y s e v en th e 55 most dif fic u lt m ovem en ts so easily is hig h ly re m ark ab le . Even m ore re m ark ab le is th e sp ir it a n d fe eli n g o f h er p erfo rm an ce; o n e c o u ld sc arc ely wis h f o r m ore .
13 The jo u rn ey p ro gre sse d t h ro u gh E rfu rt, A m sta d t, a n d G oth a w it h a lt e rn atin g fo rtu nes. I n s o m e t o w ns t h ey f o u nd d ec en t c o n cert h alls , g o od p ia n os, a p pre c ia tiv e an d k n ow le d geab le a u die n ces; o th ers la c k ed o n e o r m ore o f t h ese e le m en ts . I n e ac h sit u atio n , g o od o r b ad , h ow ev er, W ie c k h ad t o p erfo rm t h e s a m e c h ore s— fin d lo dgin g, p ro vid e h im se lf a n d h is c h ild w it h f o od, c ajo le p ro sp ec tiv e p atr o n s, m ak e th e p ro per c o n ta c ts , r e n t t h e h alls , t r y o u t t h e p ia n os, c alc u la te w hic h p ie c e w ou ld hav e t h e b est e ffe c t, p u bli c iz e t h e e v en t, a n d c o lle c t t h e m on ey . A nd in e ac h t o w n Cla ra d u tif u lly c o pie d in to h er d ia ry W ie c k ’s le tte rs t o f r ie n ds a n d f o es, e x co ria tin g th e p ro vin cia l a u die n ces a n d u nre sp o n siv e p atr o n s, c o m men tin g o n f e es, co m pli m en ta ry t ic k ets , p ro gra m s, a n d in str u m en ts . S h e w as le arn in g h ow t o man ag e a c o n cert t o u r; t h is p ra c tic al e d u catio n f o rm ed t h e b asis o f h er o w n man ag eria l s k ills la te r o n .
In F ra n kfu rt t h e W ie c k s le arn ed t h at C le m en tin e h ad g iv en b ir th t o a d au gh te r in J a n uary 1 832. T he n ew f a th er r e sp o n ded b y a sk in g h is w if e w hat t h e c h ild wou ld b e n am ed ( it w as M arie ) a n d r e m em bere d t o e x p re ss h is c o n cern f o r t h e healt h o f m oth er a n d c h ild in a f e w a ffe c tio n ate s e n te n ces. T he b u lk o f t h e le tte r, how ev er, d esc rib ed C la ra ’s t r iu m ph a t a c o n cert o f t h e M use u m , t h e le ad in g Fra n kfu rt c o n cert s o cie ty . T his w as t h e s ix te en th s u ch e v en t o f t h eir jo u rn ey . S h e pla y ed s o b eau tif u lly , h e w ro te , t h at t h e o rc h estr a a p pla u ded a t t h e r e h earsa l a n d a t th e p erfo rm an ce, in dic atin g t h eir a p pro val b y t a p pin g t h eir b o w s o n t h e s ta n ds, a re al t r ib u te f r o m h er o ld er c o lle ag u es.
Thou gh W ie c k , f e eli n g t h e s tr a in o f in cessa n t t r a v el, c o m pla in ed lo n g a n d lo u dly o f t h e la c k o f a p pre c ia tio n a c co rd ed h is t w elv e-y ear- o ld t r e asu re o n t h is t r ip , sh e a c tu ally r e c eiv ed g lo w in g n otic es in a lm ost e v ery t o w n. T he g ir l h erse lf s e em ed to f lo u ris h d esp it e t h e t ir in g jo u rn ey , a n d t h ey p u sh ed o n .
As C la ra m ad e h er w ay t o w ard P aris , s h e p ra c tic ed , s tu die d n ew w ork s, perfo rm ed , c o m po se d , a n d t o ok h er d aily w alk . S till t h e d u tif u l d au gh te r, s h e co pie d h er f a th er’s le tte rs in to h er d ia ry , o ste n sib ly t o im pro ve h er h an dw rit in g.
Sh e s tu die d F re n ch t o p re p are f o r P aris , b u t s h e w as n o lo n ger a c h ild — an d perh ap s n ev er h ad b een in t h e u su al s e n se .
Wie c k ’s b o ast w hen h e t o ld F ra u S ch m id t t h at C la ra d id n ot h av e t im e t o p la y wit h d o lls o r o th er c h ild re n r e fle c te d h is s in cere b eli e f t h at h is t r a in in g g av e h er more h ap pin ess t h an t h e u su al p le asu re s o f c h ild h ood. T hou gh h e in sis te d t h at h e ch eris h ed h er c h ild is h ness, h er n atu ra ln ess, h er in nocen ce, h e e x p lo it e d h er m usic al gif ts , t r e atin g h er a s a p ro fe ssio n al. E ven in h er f ir st c o n certs , C la ra p la y ed w it h t h e 56 to n e a n d m usic al u ndersta n din g o f a n a d u lt m usic ia n .
The im pre ssio n s h e m ad e o n p erc ep tiv e o n lo okers in W eim ar w as d esc rib ed in a le tte r b y t h e t u to r o f t h e d u ke o f W eim ar:
We h eard th e li t tle W ie c k o f L eip zig — sh e’s a v erit a b le m arv el; fo r th e fir st tim e in m y li f e I cau gh t m yse lf ad m ir in g w it h en th usia sm a pre c o cio u s ta le n t: p erfe c t e x ec u tio n , ir re p ro ac h ab le m easu re , f o rc e, c la rit y , d if fic u lt ie s o f all so rts su ccessf u lly su rm ou nte d — here a re ra re th in gs a t a n y a g e— bu t still on e en co u nte rs th em o ccasio n ally , an d if li t tle C la ra h ad o ffe re d n oth in g more , I sh ou ld h av e sa id th at sh e w as a m ac h in e, to p la y so r e m ark ab ly , a n d I w ou ld h av e r e m ain ed c o ld a s a sto n e; b u t sh e is a m usic ia n , sh e f e els w hat sh e p la y s a n d k n ow s h ow to e x p re ss it ; u nder h er fin gers th e p ia n o ta k es o n co lo r an d li f e ; o n e ta k es an in te re st in h er w it h ou t w an tin g to , an d if sh e do es n ot su ccu m b e arly to so m e li n gerin g illn ess, sh e w ill n ot h av e m uch need o f b eau ty in o rd er to b ec o m e a te m ptin g sir e n . P oor c h ild ! S h e h as a lo ok o f u nhap pin ess an d o f su ffe rin g, w hic h d is tr e sse s m e; b u t sh e o w es perh ap s a part of her fin e ta le n t to th is in cli n atio n to m ela n ch oly ; in ex am in in g c lo se ly th e a ttr ib u te s o f th e M use s, o n e c o u ld a lm ost a lw ay s fin d th ere s o m e t r a c es o f t e ars.
14 The p o rtr a it o f C la ra s k etc h ed b y h er s te p m oth er’s b ro th er in P aris in 1 832 sh ow s a g ir l w it h a t h in h eart- sh ap ed f a c e a n d e n orm ou s d ark e y es, h er h air s w ep t in to a k in d o f c h ig n on t o pped b y a la rg e, f lu tte rin g r ib bo n . H er h ead , h eld s li g h tly to o n e s id e, s e em s t o o s m all f o r t h e e la b o ra te o ff- th e-sh ou ld er g o w n w it h h uge pu ffy s le ev es. A f ilm y n et c o vers t h e d ec o lle ta g e a n d a f r illy c o lla r a c cen tu ate s t h e nec k a n d t h in s lo pin g s h ou ld ers. T he w ais t is t ig h tly c in ch ed w it h a w id e b elt .
Cla ra is w earin g lo n g, d an gli n g e arrin gs. M ost s tr ik in g is t h e w is tf u l e x p re ssio n ab o u t h er m ou th a n d t h e u nusu al, s li g h tly e x o tic e y es. T he s h arp , p o in te d c h in betr a y s t h e c h ild .
Wit h in a y ear a fte r h er r e tu rn f r o m P aris , a d esc rip tio n o f C la ra w as p u bli s h ed in t h e H am bu rg jo u rn al Caecili a , e d it e d b y J o h an n P ete r L yse r, a f r ie n d o f R obert Sch um an n. A p ro m in en t f e atu re o f t h is s h ort- li v ed p u bli c atio n w as a s ix -p ag e e ssa y on C la ra W ie c k . W heth er L yse r w ro te t h e f o llo w in g d esc rip tio n o r w heth er, a s Wie c k s p ec u la te d , it w as b ase d o n a le tte r b y H ein ric h H ein e is n ot k n ow n. T hat it was w rit te n b y a n a stu te o bse rv er, h ow ev er, is c le ar:
At fir st g la n ce C la ra se em s to b e a q u it e lo vab le th ir te en -y ear- o ld g ir l . . .
an d o n e th in ks n o m ore ab o u t it — bu t, o bse rv ed m ore c lo se ly , e v ery th in g se em s qu it e dif fe re n t! T he deli c ate , pre tty li t tle fa c e w it h th e so m ew hat 57 str a n gely sh ap ed e y es, th e fr ie n dly m ou th w it h th e to u ch o f se n tim en t th at now a n d th en d ra w s u p in a so m ew hat m ock in g o r w is tf u l w ay , p artic u la rly when sh e an sw ers. A nd th e m ix tu re of gra c e an d care le ssn ess in her movem en ts — not s tu die d , b u t it g o es f a r b ey o n d o n e o f h er y ears. A ll t h is — I co n fe ss it o pen ly — stir re d a q u it e p ec u li a r fe eli n g in m e w hen I sa w it . I kn ow o f n o b ette r w ay t o d esc rib e it e x cep t a s “ an e c h o o f C la ra ’s m ock in g- pain fu l” sm ile . It se em s a s th ou gh th e c h ild c o u ld te ll a lo n g sto ry , a sto ry woven o u t o f jo y a n d p ain — an d y et— what d o es s h e k n ow ? M usic .
15 Wie c k w as p le ase d , a s a lw ay s, b y t h e r e fe re n ces t o h is c h ild , a p pare n tly d is r e g ard in g th e a llu sio n s t o m ela n ch oly , t e ars, a n d p ain .
The t im e s p en t in P aris — Feb ru ary 1 5 t o A pril 1 3, 1 832— gav e C la ra t h e c ac h et of a P aris ia n c o n cert, a n d it e x p o se d t h e g ir l t o n ew m usic , n ew m an ners, a n d n ew valu es, a ll o f w hic h s h e q u ie tly a b so rb ed . Y et s h e h ard ly m ad e t h e im pac t o n Paris ia n m usic al li f e h er f a th er s e em s t o h av e e n vis io n ed . T hou gh s h e a n d a Fre n ch w om an s h opped h urrie d ly f o r t h e r e q u is it e n ew d re sse s a n d h ats , th e s e rio u s ch ild w it h t h e a w kw ard , a g gre ssiv e f a th er c o u ld n ot c o n qu er t h e g la m oro u s F re n ch cap it a l. H e w ro te t o h is w if e :
58 Cla ra W ie c k , a g e 1 2, in P aris . L it h ogra p h b ase d o n a p o rtr a it b y E du ard F ec h ner, 1 832. R obert- Sch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au .
You sh ou ld se e m e at th e so ir e es in yello w glo ves an d w hit e n ec k ban d, sp eak in g h alf G erm an a n d h alf F re n ch a n d h alf d esp air in g, h at in h an d, f r o m 10 in th e e v en in g till 2 in th e m orn in g, a lw ay s p ric k in g u p m y e ars to m ak e 59 su re I w ill n ot m is s an yth in g. C hild , y o u w on ’t re c o gn iz e y o u r F rie d ric h ag ain . Y ou h av e n ev er s e en a m ore in te re stin g s ig h t.
16 Wie c k w as d ete rm in ed t o d is p la y C la ra ’s t a le n t a n d w as w illi n g t o ig n ore t h e dis c o m fo rts a n d f in an cia l c o sts o f a P aris s ta y . B ut e v en t h e r e d o u bta b le F rie d ric h Wie c k q u aile d a t t h e t h ou gh t o f h av in g t o m ak e h im se lf u ndersto od in F re n ch .
One s e n se s f r o m h is le tte rs t h at h e is f e eli n g d is tin ctly u nco m fo rta b le in t h is c en te r of G alli c f a sh io n a n d g ra c e.
“O ur F re n ch d o esn ’t h elp u s a t a ll, o n p au vre a lle m an d n e c o m pre n d p as u n mot a P aris ,” h e c o m pla in ed . “ E very th in g is d if fe re n t h ere — ev ery th in g! . . . O ne sle ep s, e ats , d rin ks d if fe re n tly .” W orst o f a ll, h e h ad n ot b een a b le t o s m oke in h is carria g e f o r f o u r d ay s o n t h e w ay t o P aris , a n d o n ce t h ere h e c o u ld s m oke o n ly in his r o om . “ C la ra c an n ev er c o m pen sa te m e f o r w hat I a m d o in g f o r h er,” h e wro te .
17 T his c o m pla in t m ay h av e b een w rit te n h alf - m ock in gly , a s f a r a s t h e sm okin g w as c o n cern ed , b u t it w as a m otif t h at r a n t h ro u gh h is r e la tio n sh ip w it h Cla ra f r o m t h at t im e o n .
Wie c k la m en te d t h at in P aris e v ery th in g w as d o n e f o r s u perfic ia l r e aso n s, f o r th e s a k e o f a p peara n ces. C la ra h ad t o b e d re sse d e n tir e ly in w hit e a n d h ad t o w ear a new d re ss a t e ac h a p peara n ce— bu t t h e P aris ia n s d id n ’t c are a b o u t c le an li n ess. “ O ne sm all n ap kin is u se d f o r t h e w hole w eek , a n d o n e g la ss o f w ate r is p ro vid ed in t h e morn in g f o r w ash in g.” A nd, h e a d ds, r e m in din g u s t h at h e w as t r a v eli n g w it h a n ad o le sc en t, “ T hat s u it s o u r C la ra ju st f in e.” H e w as o verw helm ed b y F re n ch cu sto m s; h is p en f a ile d h im , a n d h e p ro m is e d h e w ou ld h av e t a le s t o t e ll w hen h e re tu rn ed t o L eip zig . “ Y ou s h ou ld s e e t h e li f e h ere . C e n ’e st p as d ir e !” 18 Wit h ou t E du ard F ec h ner, W ie c k ’s b ro th er- in -la w , t h ey n ev er c o u ld h av e m ad e th eir w ay . H e a rra n ged C la ra ’s f ir st a p peara n ces a t t h e P aris ia n s a lo n s o f t w o wealt h y G erm an -b o rn m usic lo vers, M ad am e V ale n tin a n d M ad am e L eo .
19 Thro u gh t h e la tte r, a p atr o n ess o f m an y m usic ia n s, t h ey m et m an y e m in en t co m po se rs li v in g in P aris t h at w in te r. G ia c o m o M ey erb eer p re se n te d t h em w it h tic k ets t o h is Rob ert le D ia ble , t h e s p ec ta c u la r a u die n ce-p le ase r t h en r e ig n in g a t t h e opera . F eli x M en dels so h n, t e n y ears o ld er t h an C la ra a n d la te r t o b ec o m e h er f a st fr ie n d, w as a lr e ad y a s o ph is tic ate d , w ell- tr a v ele d y o u ng m an , n ot t o b e c o m pare d wit h t h e p ro vin cia ls f r o m S ax o n y. F rie d ric h K alk -b re n ner, t h e c o m po se r a n d pia n is t, a d m ir e d t h e g ir l’ s p la y in g b u t f e ll in to a d is p u te w it h t h e q u arre ls o m e fa th er. J o h an n P ix is a n d H ein ric h H erz , c o m po se rs w hose w ork s C la ra p la y ed , re m ain ed k in dly b u t d is ta n t; N ic co lo P ag an in i, w ho r e m em bere d t h em f r o m Leip zig , a n d P ie rre E ra rd , t h e p ia n o m an ufa c tu re r, w ere f r ie n dli e r a n d m ore help fu l.
60 In P aris it w as c u sto m ary t o p la y a t s o ir e es in t h e la v is h h om es o f a ris to cra ts o r wealt h y m usic lo vers, a w ait a n ew sp ap er m en tio n , a n d t h en , a t t h e r ig h t m om en t, sc h ed u le a p u bli c c o n cert. U nfo rtu nate ly , t h e r ig h t m om en t n ev er c am e. F ir st a Pag an in i c o n cert a t w hic h C la ra h ad t h e o ppo rtu nit y t o b e a n a ssis tin g a rtis t w as can cele d b ec au se o f t h e v io li n is t’s illn ess. A c o n cert a t t h e m usic s c h ool o f a f r ie n d, Fra n z S to ep el, o n M arc h 1 9 w as a s u ccess, b u t t h e b ig c o n cert a rra n ged f o r A pril 9 at t h e H ote l d e V ille h ad t o b e h eld a t S to ep el’ s s m all a u dit o riu m in ste ad b ec au se o f a c h ole ra e p id em ic a n d f e w p eo ple a tte n ded . T he W ie c k s le ft P aris a lm ost im med ia te ly a fte r t h e la st r e c it a l a n d a rriv ed in L eip zig o n M ay 1 , 1 832.
T HE Y OUN G A RT IS T Frie d ric h W ie c k , a n a stu te b u sin essm an , p re p are d f o r C la ra ’s a p peara n ces w it h gre at c are . A lt h ou gh h e b eli e v ed in a d ig n if ie d a p pro ac h , h e w as n ot a v erse t o cap it a li z in g o n t h e p u bli c in te re st in t h e y o u ng g ir l. A t h er c o n certs h e p ed dle d li t h ogra p h s o f t h e p o rtr a it p ain te d b y F ec h ner, h is P aris ia n b ro th er- in -la w . T he li t h ogra p h s s o ld w ell a n d n ew o n es w ere r e c eiv ed in A ugu st 1 832. C opie s w ere se n t t o R obert S ch um an n a n d t o h er “ B erli n m oth er,” a m on g o th ers.
20 Wie c k n ev er f o rg o t t h e p o verty o f h is c h ild h ood a n d n ev er s c o rn ed a n oppo rtu nit y t o m ak e a t a le r. F or h im m on ey w as a p o w erfu l s o u rc e o f s e c u rit y a n d he im pre sse d it s im po rta n ce o n h is y o u ng d au gh te r, c o n vey in g in m an y w ay s t h e le sso n t h at m on ey c o u ld b e e q u ate d w it h lo ve. F ro m h er e arli e st y ears C la ra w as re w ard ed w it h m on ey f o r h er p la y in g a n d f o r le arn in g q u ic k ly . A ll s u m s e arn ed fr o m c o n certs w ere n ote d in h er d ia ry b y h er o r h er f a th er; h e a ls o r e c o rd ed t h e co sts o f g if ts h e g av e h er, a s o n A pril 2 4, 1 834: “ F ath er b o u gh t m e a la rg e b eau tif u l go ld c h ain a t H err S tr u ve f o r 4 5 r e ic h sta le r; it is w orth 3 2 r e ic h sta le r in g o ld .” Wie c k ’s in te re st in m on ey w as w ell k n ow n t o e v ery o n e in L eip zig ( S ch um an n re fe rre d t o h im a s “ M eis te r A lle sg eld ”— Maste r A ll- fo r- M on ey ); b u sin essm en ap pre c ia te d h is s h re w dn ess. H e w ork ed o u t b arte r a rra n gem en ts s o t h at C la ra c o u ld ta k e F re n ch o r t h eo ry le sso n s in e x ch an ge f o r t h e lo an o f a g u it a r o r p ia n o f r o m h is sh op. H er f a th er h ad c o n te m pt f o r p ay m en ts in je w elr y f o r h is a rtis t d au gh te r; s u ch gif ts w ere u su ally a p pra is e d a n d t u rn ed in to c ash . T hose p atr o n s w ho d id n ot deli v er t h e e x p ec te d f e es w ere r o u ndly b era te d in le tte rs t h at t h e c h ild c o pie d in to her d ia ry .
The m on ey C la ra e arn ed a t c o n certs w as c o lle c te d b y W ie c k ( q u it e li t e ra lly co lle c te d — he o fte n s to od a t t h e d o or a s t h e a u die n ce p o u re d in ) a n d in veste d in sta te b o n ds a n d in a ll li k eli h ood in h is b u sin ess a s w ell. F ro m t h ese f u nds C la ra re c eiv ed r e w ard s f r o m h er f a th er w hen s h e p la y ed p artic u la rly w ell a n d s m all s u m s, perh ap s e ig h t g ro sc h en , a fte r a c o n cert— en ou gh f o r a t r e at in a c afe . S h e p aid f o r 61 her o w n le sso n s if h e w as u nab le t o a rra n ge a t r a d e w it h a n oth er t e ac h er. A s h er fa th er, t e ac h er, a n d c o n cert m an ag er, W ie c k b eli e v ed h e was e n tit le d t o t h e m on ey sh e e arn ed , a n d t o ld h er s o in la te r y ears w hen C la ra r e q u este d t h e r e tu rn o f m on ey fo r w hic h s h e h ad w ork ed . T he m on ey w as le g ally h is n ot o n ly b ec au se h e w as h er fa th er b u t a ls o b ec au se o f C la ra ’s g en der: s o cia l a n d e c o n om ic r e str ic tio n s o n wom en r e m ain ed in f o rc e lo n ger in G erm an y t h an in m ost W este rn c o u ntr ie s.
21 Wie c k c la im ed , m ore o ver, t h at h e h ad a m ora l r ig h t t o t h is m on ey , s in ce— as h e po in te d o u t in h er d ia ry a n d in t h e le tte rs s h e c o pie d — he h ad n eg le c te d t h e ed u catio n o f h er s ib li n gs a n d g iv en u p o th er p u pils s o t h at h e c o u ld d ev o te h im se lf en tir e ly t o h er e d u catio n a n d c are er. T hou gh C la ra m ay h av e f e lt s o m e g u ilt o ver th e t r e atm en t o f h er b ro th ers, s h e w as le d t o a c cep t t h e s it u atio n a s q u it e n orm al an d n atu ra l. T he a tte n tio n s r e c eiv ed , t h e m ark s o f p re fe re n ce s h ow n b y h er f a th er, th e a p pla u se o f t h e a u die n ces w ere g ra tif y in g. T he r e ali z atio n t h at s h e m ig h t h av e been e x p lo it e d o ccu rre d t o h er o n ly in 1 839, w hen t h e f a th er s h e h ad lo ved a n d tr u ste d r e fu se d h er t h e t h ou sa n ds o f t a le r s h e h ad e arn ed t h ro u gh h er t a le n ts — an d whic h h e h ad , in t h e m ean tim e, s a v ed a n d in veste d . W hen s h e p ersis te d in p la n s t o marry R obert S ch um an n, s h e w as in fo rm ed t h at s h e o w ed W ie c k m on ey f o r t h e le sso n s h e h ad g iv en h er. H e a ls o d em an ded t h at s h e s h are h er e arn in gs w it h h er bro th ers a n d o th er f a m ily m em bers. D urin g t h e b attle s h e t o ld R obert, w it h s o m e bit te rn ess, t h at s h e h ad n ev er r e c eiv ed s o m uch a s a p in f r o m h er s te p m oth er; s h e was a lw ay s t o ld t o u se h er o w n m on ey .
22 E ven a fte r a c o u rt h ad r u le d in f a v o r o f her m arria g e a n d t h e b an ns w ere a n nou nced , W ie c k k ep t t h e p ro ceed s o f h er co n certs . S h e w as f o rc ed t o b rin g s u it t o r e c o ver t h e m on ey f o r w hic h s h e h ad la b o re d — ev en t h e p ia n o t h at h ad b een g iv en t o h er a s a g if t— bu t t h e m atte r d id not g o t o c o u rt. A fte r h er m arria g e, it w as f in ally s e ttle d t h ro u gh a n in te rm ed ia ry , Majo r F rie d ric h S erre .
23 Cla ra ’s w is tf u l, “ m ock in g-p ain fu l” s m ile w as t h e o n ly o u tw ard m an if e sta tio n o f ch ild h ood u nhap pin ess. T he d o cile d au gh te r o ccasio n ally e x h ib it e d “ w illf u l” o r “co n tr a ry ” b eh av io r, w hic h W ie c k a ttr ib u te d t o h er m oth er a n d t h e in flu en ce o f th e m aid H an ne. ( T hus t h e t w o w om en s h e lo ved in h er e arly y ears w ere s im ila rly cen su re d .) H er c o n du ct w as e asily c o n tr o lle d b y h er f a th er. F or t h is c h ild , t o w hom music a n d p la y in g t h e p ia n o w ere in dis p en sa b le — perh ap s e v en e q u iv ale n t t o lo ve —pro h ib it io n s a g ain st p la y in g o r p ra c tic in g w ere t e rrif y in g. W ie c k p u nis h ed in fr a c tio n s o f b eh av io r b y w it h hold in g le sso n s o r f a v o rit e p ie c es. N in e d ay s a fte r her f ir st p u bli c a p peara n ce a t t h e G ew an dh au s ( O cto ber 2 0, 1 828), t h e f o llo w in g en tr y w as m ad e in h er d ia ry :
My fa th er, w ho h as lo n g h oped fo r a ch an ge in m y b eh av io r, re m ark ed 62 ag ain to day th at I a m ju st a s la z y , c are le ss, d is o rd erly , stu bbo rn , d is o bed ie n t, etc . a s e v er, a n d th at I sh ow a ll th ese tr a it s in m y p ia n o p la y in g a n d in m y stu die s. A nd b ec au se I p la y ed H unte n ’s n ew V aria tio n s o p. 2 6 fo r h im so bad ly , a n d d id n ot ta k e th e re p eats in th e fir st v aria tio n , m y fa th er to re u p th e m usic b efo re m y e y es, a n d w ill n ot g iv e m e a n y le sso n s b eg in nin g to day , an d I m ay not pla y an yth in g bu t sc ale s, C ra m er’s E tu des, B ook I, an d Cze rn y’s T rill E xer cis e s. M y b ro th ers w ill ta k e m y p la c e in th e 8 o ’c lo ck morn in g le sso n a n d m y f a th er w ill s ta rt w it h t h em t o m orro w .
24 On N ovem ber 5 t h e in str u ctio n w as r e su m ed , a fte r t h e “ la z y a n d s tu bbo rn ” ch ild s o le m nly p ro m is e d t o c h an ge.
Possib ly b ec au se o f h er g en der a n d h er m on ey m ak in g a b ili t y , C la ra w as n ev er su bje c te d t o t h e a b u se t h at W ie c k u nle ash ed o n h is s o n s. R obert S ch um an n, w hose ow n f a m ily li f e h ad b een q u ie t a n d a ffe c tio n ate , d esc rib ed o n e e p is o de in h is d ia ry on A ugu st 2 1, 1 831:
Yeste rd ay I sa w a sc en e w hose im pre ssio n w ill b e in deli b le . M eis te r R aro [W ie c k ] is su re ly a w ic k ed m an . A lw in h ad n ot p la y ed w ell: “ Y ou w re tc h , yo u w re tc h — is th is th e p le asu re y o u g iv e y o u r f a th er” — how h e th re w h im on th e flo or, p u lle d h im b y th e h air , tr e m ble d a n d sta g gere d , sa t still to re st an d g ain str e n gth fo r n ew fe ats , c o u ld b are ly sta n d o n h is le g s a n ym ore a n d had to th ro w h is p re y d o w n, h ow th e b o y b eg ged a n d im plo re d h im to g iv e him t h e v io li n — he w an te d t o p la y , h e w an te d t o p la y — I c an b are ly d esc rib e it — an d to a ll th is — Zili a [C la ra ] sm ile d a n d c alm ly sa t h erse lf d o w n a t th e pia n o w it h a W eb er s o n ata .
The h orrif ie d R obert a d ded : “ A m I a m on g h um an s? ” 25 As a c lo se o bse rv er o f t h e W ie c k f a m ily s c en e, S ch um an n a ls o n ote d t h e in te rp la y a m on g d au gh te r, s te p m oth er, a n d f a th er. W hen C la ra w as a lm ost t w elv e, he w ro te t h at h e d is c ern ed “ a t r a c e o f p eev is h ness, c ap ric io u sn ess, a n d e v en a se m bla n ce o f ill w ill in h er c o n du ct t o w ard h er s te p m oth er.” A y ear la te r h e w ro te , “C la ra d is p la y s g re at o bstin ac y t o w ard h er s te p m oth er, w ho is c erta in ly a w om an worth y o f r e sp ec t. T he o ld m an r e b u kes C la ra , b u t n ev erth ele ss h e is c o m in g u nder her t h um b m ore a n d m ore . S h e is g iv in g o rd ers li k e a s e n ora — bu t s h e c an a ls o b eg an d c ajo le li k e a c h ild .” 26 At f if te en C la ra a c tiv ely b eg an t o d efy h er f a th er. O n a c o n cert t o u r t o Mag d eb u rg , H an nover, a n d o th er n orth ern c it ie s in 1 834– 35 t h e b affle d f a th er h ad a r e b elli o u s a d o le sc en t o n h is h an ds:
63 Cla ra now is ofte n so in co n sid era te , do m in eerin g, fu ll of unre aso n ab le oppo sit io n , care le ss, to ta lly dis o bed ie n t, ru de, pric k ly , blu nt, m on str o u sly la z y , c ap ric io u sly v ain a b o u t ra g s [c lo th es] (w e c an not e v en sp eak o f o th er kin ds o f v an it y b ec au se sh e n o lo n ger h as th e sli g h te st in te re st in h er a rt— an d c erta in ly n o tim e to stu dy— sin ce sh e g ets u p a t n in e o ’c lo ck a n d is n ’t re ad y t ill h alf p ast t e n , t h en r e c eiv es v is it o rs, is in vit e d t o d in ner a t n oon , a n d in th e a fte rn oon is d esp era te ly u nhap py if sh e sh ou ld h av e to p la y , b ec au se th en sh e is th in kin g o n ly o f th e th eate r a n d— th e g en tle m en ). I n sh ort, w hat is t o b ec o m e o f h er, G od o n ly k n ow s— sh e c erta in ly c an not r e m ain a t h om e.
I w ill be ir rit a te d w it h her fo r th e re st of m y li f e ; I can hard ly en jo y an yth in g a b o u t h er w it h ou t g rie f. A d ay d o esn ’t p ass w hen sh e d o esn ’t v ex me w it h all th e th in gs I m en tio n ed . If I w ere n ot h ere , sh e w ou ld n ot perfe c t o n e sin gle p ie c e. S h e is so d is tr a c te d th at a s a ru le sh e d o esn ’t e v en kn ow if sh e is p la y in g a n d h er o bstin ac y a b o u t it all d is to rts h er fa c e. I w ill not b e a b le to s e ll th e p ia n os b ec au se s h e is s o h eed le ss th at s h e is c o n tin ually fin din g fa u lt w it h th em , c o m pla in in g to o th er p eo ple a b o u t h ow h ard th ey are t o p la y a n d g iv in g t h em a b ad r e p u ta tio n .
27 One c an a lm ost f e el s o rry f o r t h e f a th er, s u rp ris e d b y t h e t r e ac h ero u s v ag arie s o f th e a d o le sc en t. S h e h ad n ot o n ly b een t h e p ro verb ia l a p ple o f h is e y e; s h e h ad re ig n ed o ver t h e e n tir e h ou se h old , a n d u ndersta n dab ly s o . H er c o n certs b ro u gh t a siz ab le in co m e; h er la b o r a ttr a c te d p u pils a n d p u bli c it y f o r h is b u sin ess. H er t a le n ts gav e h im s ta tu s a n d p re stig e, t h e m ean s t o t r a v el, a n d o ppo rtu nit ie s t o m ix w it h gre at m usic ia n s, t h e r ic h , a n d t h e n oble . H er c o n certs w ere h is c o n certs , h er re v ie w s h is . H e s h are d in t h e t e n sio n , t h e m is h ap s, t h e s u ccess, t h e a p pla u se . A le tte r h e w ro te t o h is w if e f r o m M ag d eb u rg t e lls p art o f t h e s to ry :
Lis te n , it is a m ir a c le th at th e a n xie ty a n d a n ger I h ad la st n ig h t d id n ’t f in is h me off. Ju st th in k, th ere w ere 600 peo ple in th e h all, u nbeli e v ab ly fu ll bec au se o f C la ra ; th e p ia n o k ey s b eg an to stic k ... in th e F in ale o f th e Chopin C on certo ; f o rtu nate ly , e v ery th in g tu rn ed o u t w ell b u t it to ok m uch worry a n d lo ts o f sw eat to g et th ro u gh it . D urin g th e in te rm is sio n I h ad to ta k e t h e k ey b o ard o u t in f u ll v ie w o f t h e a u die n ce a n d f ix t h e k ey s. I t w as a ll rig h t— bu t w hen th e sta c cato v aria tio n s c am e in th e se c o n d p art, th e w hole dam per m ec h an is m an d te n sin gle k ey s stu ck . W hat w as I to d o ? C la ra pla y ed , d id n ot d are li f t th e d am per (b ec au se it w ou ld n ot fa ll b ac k d o w n ag ain ), a n d so I p re sse d th e sin gle p ed al d u rin g h er p erfo rm an ce, m ay b e 1 00 tim es, in fu ll v ie w o f th e w hole a u die n ce. Y et C la ra p la y ed li k e a g o d w it h unpre c ed en te d ap pla u se an d u nan im ou s b ra v o s. I w as b ath ed in sw eat an d 64 had to r u sh b ac k to th e h ou se , a h alf h ou r a w ay , to c h an ge m y c lo th es. I sn ’t it d re ad fu l t o h av e t o li v e t h ro u gh s o m eth in g li k e t h at— esp ec ia lly a fte r I h ad sw orn to th e m usic lo vers h ere th at I w ou ld h av e ev ery th in g fix ed an d ru nnin g a s G ra f a n d B ay er [ w ell- k n ow n p ia n o m ak ers] d id ?
28 Not t h e le ast o f t h e s h ock s o n t h is t r ip w as C la ra ’s d ev elo pin g s e x u ali t y . W ie c k had a sk ed C arl B an ck , a y o u ng L eip zig c o m po se r a n d v o ic e t e ac h er, t o a c co m pan y th em , o ste n sib ly b ec au se h e w as a n ativ e M ag d eb u rg er a n d c o u ld h elp w it h arra n gem en ts in t h at c it y . T he p rim ary p u rp o se , h ow ev er, w as t o d iv ert C la ra ’s min d f r o m R obert S ch um an n, in w hom s h e w as s h ow in g u nm is ta k ab le s ig n s o f in te re st. T he lu re w ork ed . C la ra f li r te d w it h B an ck a n d w it h e v ery o th er y o u ng man s h e m et. F or t h e f ir st a n d p ro bab ly o n ly t im e in h er li f e , s h e a c te d t h e co qu ette . T he g ir l w hose p o rtr a it w as p ain te d in H an nover h as a m is c h ie v o u s g li n t in h er e y e— sh e lo oks o u t a t u s a s if s h e k n ow s h er p o w er. I n H al- b ersta d t s h e open ed a b all a n d d an ced w it h a n o ld er m an , w ho, s h e r e p o rte d , w as a g re at ad m ir e r o f b eau tif u l w om en .
29 A d ay e arli e r, s h e g le efu lly r e p o rte d in h er d ia ry th at t w o m en w ere f ig h tin g o ver h er.
The t o u r c o n tin ued f o r s e v era l m on th s d esp it e W ie c k ’s o verw ro u gh t c o n dit io n .
They r e tu rn ed h om e in A pril t o f a c e g re ate r b attle s.
65 Cla ra W ie c k , a g e 1 5, in H an nover. O n t h e p ia n o is t h e s o lo p art o f t h e t h ir d m ovem en t o f h er co n certo , o p. 7 . L it h ogra p h b y J . G ie re , 1 835. R obert- S ch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au .
1 Lit z m an n ( V orw ort, v ) g av e t h e w ro n g d ate , M ay 7 , 1 827, o n t h e t it le p ag e o f v o l. 1 a n d om it te d m en tio n o f o th er in fo rm atio n t h at a p peare d o n t h at p ag e. O n t h e lo w er p art o f t h e p ag e is a n in sc rip tio n s ig n ed b y F rie d ric h W ie c k in D re sd en , d ate d M arc h 1 859, w hic h r e ad s, “N ote b o oks 1 – 6 w ere g iv en b y m e t o m y d au gh te r C la ra S ch um an n a n d b elo n g t o h er.” O n t h e 66 verso o f t h e t it le p ag e is a n ote w rit te n b y C la ra S ch um an n in F ra n kfu rt o n J u ne 6 , 1 889: “ A t m y death , I s h ou ld li k e m y d au gh te r M arie t o h av e a ll m y d ia rie s, s in ce s h e is t h e e ld est o f a ll t h e sis te rs a n d b ro th ers, a n d w as a lw ay s t h e m ost f a it h fu l a n d t r u est f r ie n d t o m e.” 2 Thou gh L it z m an n’s b io gra p h y is b ase d o n t h e d ia rie s, h e r a re ly d is tin gu is h es b etw een t h e en tr ie s m ad e b y W ie c k a n d t h ose w rit te n b y C la ra . D ia ry e n tr ie s q u ote d h ere afte r in dic ate t h e writ e r b y t h e in it ia ls F W o r C W .
3 Martin S ch oppe, la te d ir e c to r o f R obert- S ch um an n-H au s, Z w ic k au , b eli e v ed t h at t h e la te r dia rie s w ere d estr o yed a fte r L it z m an n u se d t h em , p re su m ab ly b y o rd er o f M arie S ch um an n.
4 Tac tle ss a n d o fte n in se n sit iv e, W ie c k w as r e sp ec te d b u t n ot li k ed . L ou is S p o h r, f o r w hom Cla ra p la y ed s e v era l t im es, r e fe rre d t o W ie c k a s a b ra g gart a n d w in dbag ( “ D er V ate r W ie c k pra h lt e u nd w in dbeu te lt e w ie g ew oh nli c h ”) in h is Leb en se rin neru ngen , e d . F olk er G oth el, 2 v o ls .
(T utz in g: H an s S ch neid er, 1 968), 2 :1 71.
5 Fro m t h e u npu bli s h ed d ia ry w e le arn m ore d eta ils : le sso n s in s c o re r e ad in g a n d in str u m en ta tio n b eg an in F eb ru ary 1 831 ( w hen C la ra w as e le v en ) a n d v io li n le sso n s w it h a H err Prin z s ta rte d a b o u t t h e s a m e t im e. S h e b eg an t a k in g t w o le sso n s a w eek in c o u nte rp o in t w it h Hein ric h D orn o n J u ne 2 0, 1 832, a n d in A pril 1 833 a d aily f if te en -m in ute v o ic e le sso n w it h h er fa th er. T hat s a m e m on th , s h e s a n g w it h t h e c h oru s in a p erfo rm an ce o f H an del’ s Sam so n .
6 “D er k u nstr e ic h en C la ra W ie c k ” a n d, t o W ie c k , “ F ur m eis te rli c h m usik ali s c h e U nte rh alt u ng verp fli c h te t.” W eim ar, 9 O cto ber, 1 831. J .W . G oeth e.
67 CH APT ER 3 68 Robert S ch um an n an d t h e W ie ck s W hen C la ra an d h er fa th er re tu rn ed fr o m P aris in 1832, th ey w ere eag erly a w ait e d b y C le m en tin e, A lw in , G usta v , th e fo u r- m on th -o ld b ab y, M arie , w hom t h e fa th er h ad n ev er se en , a n d th e fo rm er b o ard er, R obert S ch um an n. T he y o u ng c o m po se r n ote d in h is d ia ry th at A lw in a n d G usta v h ad r u n o ver to h is r o om s th e i n sta n t C la ra a n d W ie c k r e tu rn ed .
1 I n th e d ay s fo llo w in g, C la ra ’s n am e a p pears in h is d ia ry w it h in cre asin g f r e q u en cy .
Born in Z w ic k au , a t o w n o f a b o u t 4 ,0 00 p eo ple in S ax o n y, s o m e f o rty m ile s s o u th o f L eip zig , R obert w as t h e y o u ngest ( a n d a la te ) c h ild o f a d ev o te d f a m ily .
T he f a th er, A ugu st S ch um an n, w as a li t e ra ry m an w ho h ad p ro sp ere d ; b eg in nin g a s t h e s o n o f a p o or c o u ntr y m in is te r, h e b u ilt a s u ccessf u l s m all- to w n c are er a s b o okse lle r, w rit e r, p u bli s h er, t r a n sla to r, e d it o r, a n d c o m pile r o f d ic tio n arie s a n d r e fe re n ce w ork s. H is w if e , J o h an ne C hris tia n e, n ee S ch nab el, t h e d au gh te r o f a s u rg eo n , d o te d o n R obert. H e s h ow ed m usic al t a le n t e arly , a n d t h e p are n ts t u rn ed t o J o h an n G ottf r ie d K unts c h , a lo cal m usic t e ac h er, w ho o ffe re d m uch e n co u ra g em en t t o t h e b o y. Q uic k ly o u tg ro w in g K unts c h ’s k n ow le d ge, R obert c o n tin ued o n h is o w n, c o m po sin g s o n gs a n d p ia n o w ork s, d ir e c tin g, im pro vis in g, e n te rta in in g h is f a m ily a n d f r ie n ds, a n d m ak in g a lo cal r e p u ta tio n a s a m usic al t a le n t.
His f a th er, t h e m ajo r s u ppo rte r o f h is m usic al a n d li t e ra ry in te re sts , d ie d w hen R obert w as s ix te en , a n d a lt h ou gh h e h ad t h re e o ld er b ro th ers— Edu ard a n d J u li u s, i n t h e f a m ily b u sin ess in Z w ic k au , a n d C arl, a p u bli s h er a n d p rin te r in n earb y S ch neeb erg — he w as p la c ed u nder t h e g u ard ia n sh ip o f G ottlo b R udel, a f r ie n d a n d l o cal m erc h an t, w ho a d m in is te re d h is s h are o f h is f a th er’s e sta te a n d a d vis e d F ra u S ch um an n a b o u t R obert’s f u tu re .
1 T he t w o f o rm ed a n a lli a n ce f o r a “ p ra c tic al” l i f e b ase d o n t h e s tu dy o f ju ris p ru den ce.
So on a fte r h is g ra d u atio n f r o m t h e Z w ic k au L yceu m — where h e h ad b een a n o u ts ta n din g s tu den t, h ig h ly p ra is e d f o r h is in du str y a n d in te lle c tu al g if ts — Robert a rriv ed in L eip zig o n a p re li m in ary t r ip t o e n ro ll a t t h e u niv ersit y a n d f in d lo dgin gs.
69 But t h e s tu dy o f la w w as m ere ly a c o ver f o r S ch um an n’s r e al p assio n s: m usic a n d li t e ra tu re . F rie n ds r e p o rte d t h at h e r a re ly e v en a p pro ac h ed t h e b u ild in gs w here la w le c tu re s w ere h eld . H is t im e w as s p en t w it h m usic — pla y in g a n d im pro vis in g o n th e p ia n o, s tu dyin g a n d li s te n in g t o t h e m usic o f S ch ubert a n d B eeth oven — an d walk in g a n d r e ad in g w it h f r ie n ds.
One o f t h e f a m ili e s in L eip zig w it h w hom h e w as o n v is it in g t e rm s w as t h at o f Dr. E rn st A ugu st C aru s, a p h ysic ia n w hom h e h ad k n ow n w hen C aru s w as dir e c to r o f a m en ta l h osp it a l in n earb y C old it z . I t w as p ro bab ly a t a m usic al ev en in g a t C aru s’s h om e o n M arc h 3 1, 1 828, t h at R obert S ch um an n m et F rie d ric h Wie c k a n d h eard C la ra p la y . I m pre sse d b y t h e c h ild ’s m usic ali t y a n d t e c h nic al pro w ess, h e a p pli e d t o W ie c k f o r p ia n o le sso n s, a n d s tu die d w it h h im u ntil t h e fo llo w in g y ear. T he C aru s h om e r e m ain ed t h e c en te r o f h is m usic al a n d s o cia l li f e .
The d o cto r’s w if e , A gn es, w as a n a ttr a c tiv e y o u ng w om an , w it h w hom R obert fr e q u en tly m ad e m usic a n d w it h w hom h e w as c erta in ly in lo ve. A t e ig h te en , Robert w as in lo ve w it h e v ery p re tty w om an h e s a w , in clu din g h is t h re e s is te rs- in - la w . H is le tte rs a n d d ia rie s c h ro n ic le a d o le sc en t e n th usia sm s f o r g ir ls , p o etr y , m usic —all t h e e m otio n s f e rv id ly r e c o rd ed .
2 H e a ls o e n jo yed d rin kin g ( o fte n t o e x cess) an d s m okin g, a n d, t o a d d t o t h e li s t o f a d o le sc en t m is d em ean ors, w as t o ta lly ir re sp o n sib le a b o u t m on ey . H is le tte rs t o h is m oth er a n d b ro th ers a re t h e t y p ic al calls f o r h elp o f t h e im pec u nio u s s tu den t.
Robert c o n vin ced h is m oth er t h at H eid elb erg w ou ld b e a b ette r p la c e t o s tu dy la w t h an p ro sa ic , f la t, a n d u gly L eip zig , b u t t h ere , t o o, S ch um an n d ev o te d m ore tim e t o m usic t h an t o la w . H an dso m e, c h arm in g, g if te d , s p o ile d , R obert p la y ed a t stu dyin g la w f o r t w o y ears b efo re h e e v en tu ally p ersu ad ed h is m oth er t o a llo w h im to d ev o te h im se lf t o ta lly t o m usic . I n a w ell- th ou gh t- o u t le tte r h e e x p la in s h im se lf :
My e n tir e li f e h as b een a tw en ty -y ear str u ggle b etw een p o etr y a n d p ro se , o r if yo u li k e, call it m usic an d th e la w . . . . N ow I am sta n din g at th e cro ssr o ad s, an d th e q u estio n “ W hic h w ay ?” fr ig h te n s m e, if I fo llo w m y gu ard ia n a n gel, h e p o in ts t o a rt, a n d, I b eli e v e, t o t h e r ig h t w ay .
2 Fra u S ch um an n r e lu cta n tly a g re ed , b u t o n ly a fte r a c o rre sp o n den ce w it h a m an sh e f e lt s h e c o u ld t r u st: F rie d ric h W ie c k , R obert’s L eip zig p ia n o t e ac h er. A t Robert’s s u ggestio n , s h e a sk ed f o r W ie c k ’s o pin io n o f h er s o n ’s c h an ces:
At th e r e q u est o f m y d early b elo ved so n , R obert S ch um an n, I a m ta k in g th e li b erty to tu rn to y o u ab o u t h is fu tu re . I am b ese t b y tr e m bli n g an d d eep an xie ty a s I w rit e to a sk y o u if y o u li k e R obert’s p la n , w hic h is e x p la in ed in 70 th e en clo se d le tte r. T hey a re n ot m y o pin io n s a n d I t e ll y o u o pen ly t h at I a m an xio u s a b o u t R obert’s fu tu re . T o ex ce l in th is a rt a n d b e a b le to e arn o n e’s bre ad , m uch is n ec essa ry , a s f a r to o m an y a rtis ts b efo re h im h av e d is c o vere d —an d e v en if h is ta le n t w ere tr u ly o u ts ta n din g, it w ou ld still b e u ncerta in wheth er h e c o u ld w in a p pro val a n d t o ok f o rw ard t o a s e c u re f u tu re .
He h as n ow s tu die d a lm ost t h re e y ears, a n d n eed ed m an y t h in gs— man y; an d n ow , ju st w hen I b eli e v ed t h at h e w ou ld s o on r e ac h h is g o al, I s e e h im ta k e a s te p b ac k w ard t o b eg in a ll o ver a g ain ; I s e e t h is ju st w hen h e h as re ac h ed t h e p o in t w hen h e c o u ld s h ow w hat h e c o u ld d o , w hen h is s m all in herit a n ce is g o n e a n d h e is s till d ep en den t o n o th er p eo ple , a n d I w on der if he w ill g et t h e a p pro val h e n eed s. A h, I c an ’t d esc rib e h ow d ep re sse d a n d unhap py I a m w hen I t h in k o f R obert’s f u tu re . H e is a g o od p erso n ; n atu re has g iv en h im in te lle c tu al g if ts f o r w hic h o th ers m ust s tr iv e w it h g re at dif fic u lt y ; n ot a n u nple asa n t e x te rio r— en ou gh c ap it a l s o t h at h e c o u ld s tu dy wit h ou t c are s— an d o f w hic h e n ou gh c o u ld r e m ain t o li v e o n r e sp ec ta b ly — an d n ow h e s u dden ly w an ts t o e n te r u po n a p ro fe ssio n h e s h ou ld h av e beg u n t e n y ears a g o . S in ce y o u , h on ore d s ir , a re a f a th er y o u rse lf , y o u c an well f e el t h at I r e ally a m r ig h t a n d m y c are s a re n ot w it h ou t f o u ndatio n . M y oth er t h re e s o n s a re u nhap py a b o u t t h is a n d a ll a g re e t h at I s h ou ld n ot g iv e in . I a m t h e o n ly o n e w ho d o es n ot w an t t o f o rc e h im t o d o s o m eth in g when h is f e eli n gs le ad h im in a n oth er d ir e c tio n — bec au se it is c erta in ly n ot hon ora b le — afte r t h re e v an is h ed y ears— to b eg in a g ain a s a n a p pre n tic e a n d th ro w a w ay h is f e w t a le r o n s o m eth in g unkn ow n .
Every th in g d ep en ds o n y o u r a n sw er, t h e p eac e o f a lo v in g m oth er, th e e n tir e hap pin ess o f a y o u ng, in ex p erie n ced p erso n w ho li v es s o le ly in h ig h er s p h ere s an d d o es n ot w is h t o e n te r p ra c tic al li f e . I k n ow t h at y o u lo ve m usic — do not le t y o u r f e eli n gs a b o u t R obert s p eak , b u t ju dge h is y ears, h is f o rtu ne, h is str e n gth , a n d h is f u tu re . I b eg y o u , I b ese ec h y o u a s a h usb an d, a f a th er, a n d a f r ie n d o f m y s o n , t r e at t h is a s a n h on est m an w ou ld a n d t e ll m e f r a n kly yo u r o pin io n — what h e h as t o f e ar— or t o h ope.
Ple ase e x cu se t h e d is tr a c te d n ess o f m y le tte r. I a m s o d eep ly a ffe c te d b y ev ery th in g t h at I f e el s ic k t o m y v ery s o u l, a n d h av e n ev er f o u nd a le tte r more d if fic u lt t o w rit e t h an t h is o n e.
3 Wie c k ’s la te r a ttit u de t o w ard R obert S ch um an n w hen h e p re se n te d h im se lf a s a pro sp ec tiv e s o n -in -la w w as d o u btle ss c o lo re d b y t h is e m otio n al le tte r f r o m F ra u Sch um an n. B ut f o r t h e m om en t h e t o ok t h e o ppo rtu nit y t o e x p an d o n h is p ro w ess as a t e ac h er, t o b o ast a b it a b o u t h is d au gh te r, a n d t o a ssu re F ra u S ch um an n t h at in th re e y ears h e c o u ld t u rn h er s o n “ in to o n e o f t h e g re ate st p ia n is ts n ow li v in g.” 71 The h ard h ead ed t e ac h er u ndersto od t h e w eak n esse s o f t h e y o u ng S ch um an n; h e ra is e d r e ali s tic q u estio n s a n d in clu ded s o m e c o n dit io n s f o r t a k in g S ch um an n o n a s a stu den t. F ir st o f a ll, R obert w ou ld h av e t o f o llo w W ie c k ’s a d vic e a b o u t p ra c tic in g.
He r e v ie w ed t h e h is to ry o f t h e le sso n s R obert h ad a lr e ad y t a k en w it h h im , in whic h W ie c k h ad s u cceed ed o n ly “ afte r h ard s tr u ggle s . . . in c o n vin cin g R obert o f th e im po rta n ce o f a p u re , p re c is e , e q u al, s m ooth , c le ar, r h yth m ic ally d is tin ctiv e a n d ele g an t t o u ch .” H e c o m pla in ed o f t h e ir re g u la rit y o f R obert’s le sso n s a n d h is pro pen sit y f o r e x cu se s. “ H as o u r Robert c h an ged ?” h e a sk ed . “ H as h e b ec o m e more p ru den t, f ir m er, s tr o n ger, a n d m ay I s a y c alm er a n d m ore m an ly ? H is le tte rs do n ot b ear t h is o u t.” Robert w ou ld h av e t o t a k e a le sso n w it h h im e v ery d ay f o r a y ear. H e p o in te d ou t t h at t h is r e q u ir e m en t m ig h t p o se a p ro ble m , s in ce h e w ou ld b e o u t o f t o w n f o r vary in g p erio ds o n c o n cert t o u rs w it h h is d au gh te r. W ou ld R obert b e a b le t o w ork alo n e? W ie c k s e em ed d o u btf u l, g iv en t h e y o u ng m an ’s p re v io u s la c k o f d is c ip li n e.
Wie c k d ec la re d t h at e v ery v ir tu oso h ad t o s u pple m en t h is in co m e b y g iv in g le sso n s, a n d h e w as e v en p re p arin g C la ra f o r t h at e v en tu ali t y . W ou ld R obert co n se n t t o li v e in t h is w ay ?
Cou ld R obert r e so lv e, h e a sk ed , t o s tu dy “ co ld t h eo ry ” f o r t w o y ears a n d w ou ld he b e a b le t o w ork a t e x erc is e s ( a s C la ra d id f o r s e v era l h ou rs a d ay )? A dm it te d ly , ex erc is e s s tif le t h e im ag in atio n , h e a d ded , b u t t h at w as o n e q u ali t y R obert h ad in ple n ty .
If R obert w ou ld n ot f o llo w W ie c k ’s a d vic e, h e c o u ld g u ara n te e n oth in g. B ut, he a ssu re d F ra u S ch um an n, if R obert s u cceed ed in e ra sin g W ie c k ’s d o u bts — an d h e wou ld g iv e h im s ix m on th s t o d o s o — he o u gh t t o b e g iv en t h e o ppo rtu nit y t o tr y .
4 Why w ou ld s u ch a b u sy a n d a m bit io u s m an a s W ie c k u nderta k e t o w ork w it h a yo u ng m an o f s u ch d o u btf u l c h ara c te r? I t is p o ssib le t h at t h e o ld er m an a d m ir e d , ev en e n vie d R obert. R obert’s g if ts a p peale d t o t h e t o u gh o ld t e ac h er, a n d h e w as cle arly e ag er f o r t h e o ppo rtu nit y t o w ork w it h t h e im ag in ativ e y o u ng m an , n ot on ly b ec au se h e w as a p ay in g p u pil o r o n e w ho m ig h t b rin g h im s o m e r e n ow n, b u t bec au se h e r e li s h ed S ch um an n’s f a n ta sy a n d p la y fu ln ess, s o a li e n t o t h e s e rio u s, plo ddin g y o u ng t u to r t h at W ie c k h ad b een a t t h e s a m e a g e. E ven d u rin g t h e e arly day s o f t h e s tr u ggle o ver C la ra , w hen S ch um an n a n d W ie c k h ad b ec o m e ad versa rie s, t h e f a th er v alu ed t h e c o m po se r a n d h is g if ts t h ou gh h e s c o rn ed t h e su it o r.
Bac k in L eip zig , in t h e a u tu m n o f 1 830, R obert w as ju bila n t. H e a g re ed t o ev ery th in g, m oved in to t w o r o om s in t h e W ie c k h ou se , a n d b ec am e a m em ber o f th e h ou se h old . D urin g t h e f o llo w in g e ig h t o r n in e m on th s h e a n d e le v en -y ear- o ld Cla ra t o ok le sso n s d aily a n d p ra c tic ed in te n se ly — sh e t o p re p are f o r h er s o lo d eb u t 72 at t h e G ew an dh au s a n d R obert t o w ork t o w ard a c are er a s a p erfo rm in g m usic ia n .
In t h e b io gra p h y o f h er f a th er, R obert S ch um an n, E ugen ie S ch um an n d esc rib ed th ose a u tu m n d ay s a s h er m oth er r e c alle d t h em :
Now a g lo rio u s li f e b eg an . T he m orn in gs b elo n ged t o w ork , t o s e rio u s s tu dy under W ie c k ’s d ir e c tio n . . . . E ven in gs w ere th e n ic est tim e. R obert w ou ld fe tc h th e c h ild re n — Cla ra a n d h er tw o b ro th ers, A lw in a n d G usta v — to h is ro om , a n d h ere h e w ou ld b ec o m e a c h ild a g ain w it h th e c h ild re n . H e to ld th em h is b est sto rie s a n d p la y ed c h ara d es w it h th em ; h e te ase d a n d f r o li c k ed an d h ad th e li t tle b o ys ta k in g tu rn s s ta n din g o n o n e le g — th e o n e w ho c o u ld hold o u t th e lo n gest re c eiv ed a p riz e . O r h e a p peare d c lo th ed a s a g h ost, so th at th ey r a n f r o m h im sh rie k in g; to ld th e f e arfu l C la ra a b o u t d o ppelg an ger, an d a b o u t t h e p is to l t h at h e a lw ay s c arrie d w it h h im , a n d s h e w as t h e k in d o f ch ild w ho b eli e v ed e v ery th in g h e to ld h er. . . . S o , in th is w ay , R obert w as th e b ig gest c h ild o f a ll a n d b ro u gh t s o m eth in g o f t h e s u nsh in e o f c h ild is h ness to t h e s e rio u s li f e o f h is li t tle f r ie n d. O ne c an im ag in e h ow s h e lo ved h im .
5 Robert w as s o on d is sa tis f ie d w it h W ie c k ’s t u te la g e a n d w ro te h is m oth er t h at h e wou ld li k e t o g o t o W eim ar t o s tu dy w it h J o h an n N ep o m uk H um mel. T his w as not a m ere c ap ric e; H um mel w as a le ad in g m usic al f ig u re o f t h e d ay — a s tu den t o f Mozart, a r iv al o f B eeth oven , a n d k ap ellm eis te r a t t h e W eim ar c o u rt f r o m 1 819 t o 1837. T he n am e a n d r e p u ta tio n o f t h e m aste r u ndo u bte d ly lu re d S ch um an n, b u t he w as a ls o ir k ed b y h is s lo w p ro gre ss a n d b y W ie c k ’s in sis te n ce t h at h e b eg in w it h fin ger e x erc is e s, “ li k e a b eg in ner.” 6 H is ir rit a tio n w as e x ac erb ate d b y t h e d aily ex am ple o f t h e li t tle v ir tu osa w ho a c h ie v ed e v ery th in g s o e ffo rtle ssly . H e c o m pare d his p la y in g w it h h ers: “ T his w hole m orn in g e v ery th in g w en t m is e ra b ly . . . . W ie c k sid es a g ain st m e, s a y s I p la y t h e H erz v aria tio n s li k e a d o g . . . w it h C la ra it ju st co m es p o u rin g o u t.” 7 B ut w hen h e m en tio n ed h is p la n s t o W ie c k , “ in a li g h t a n d casu al w ay ,” 8 a v io le n t q u arre l e n su ed ; W ie c k w as t h re ate n in g a n d u gly . R obert re p o rte d t o h is m oth er s o on a fte rw ard t h at t h ey w ere f r ie n dly a g ain , b u t h is d ia rie s te ll a d if fe re n t s to ry . T he W eim ar p la n s h ad e v ap o ra te d ; t h e r e se n tm en t li n gere d .
Sch um an n t r e ate d W ie c k w it h h is c u sto m ary r e sp ec t, c o n fid ed in h im , w ork ed wit h h im , a c cep te d h is a d vic e a n d h osp it a li t y ; h is t r u e f e eli n gs w ere r e se rv ed f o r h is jo u rn al. H ere h e r e c o rd ed t h at W ie c k w as o fte n h ate fu l: “ M eis te r A lle sg eld h as been g o n e w it h Z ili a [ C la ra ] f o r f o u rte en d ay s n ow . H is le tte rs t o h is w if e a re t h e heig h t o f a rro gan ce.” H e d esc rib ed h is h orro r a t t h e w ay W ie c k m is tr e ate d h is s o n , an d o n a n oth er o ccasio n n ote d , “ W ie c k s e em s m ore d u ll, in sip id , a n d a rro gan t ev ery d ay .” 9 73 The c o n tr a d ic tio n s t h at w ere t o m ark S ch um an n’s r e la tio n sh ip w it h h is p ia n o te ac h er b eg an e arly . W ie c k w as m ore t h an a f a th er f ig u re ; in R obert’s e y es h e se em ed a lm ost s u perh um an , a n d R obert d esp era te ly w an te d t h is m an ’s a ffe c tio n an d a p pro val. F ro m H eid elb erg , a fte r o n ly a f e w m on th s o f s tu dy, h e w ro te W ie c k lo n g p o etic le tte rs a b o u t h im se lf , h is m usic , a n d h is e n th usia sm s ( F ra n z S ch ubert an d t h e n oveli s t J e an P au l) , a n d b eg ged h im t o a n sw er s o on . A nd w hen h e f in ally re c eiv ed h is m oth er’s p erm is sio n t o le av e la w a n d d ev o te h im se lf t o m usic , h is le tte r t o W ie c k , h is “ m ost v en era te d t e ac h er,” w as g lo w in g a n d e x alt e d : “ T ak e m y han d a n d g u id e m e. I f o llo w w here v er y o u w is h . . . . T ru st in m e; I w ill e arn t h e rig h t t o b e c alle d y o u r s tu den t.” 10 I n 1 832, w hen C la ra a n d h er f a th er h ad le ft Leip zig f o r a c o n cert t r ip , R obert w ro te : “ Y ou c an h ard ly b eli e v e h ow I lo n g f o r her [ C la ra ] a n d b o th o f y o u . I m ust a lw ay s b e a m on g p eo ple w ho a re a b o ve m e.
Am on g p eo ple w ho a re m y e q u als , o r e sp ec ia lly w it h p eo ple I c an not p erm it t o ju dge m e, I e asily g et p ro u d a n d c y n ic al. ” A nd in J u ne 1 832 h e w ro te t o W ie c k , “E very d ay in w hic h I c an not s p eak w it h y o u o r C la ra is a b la n k in m y L eip zig li f e .” 11 Man y y ears la te r, in t h e m id st o f t h e b attle w it h W ie c k o ver C la ra , R obert wro te a s o u l- se arc h in g le tte r t o h is b elo ved . H e c o n fid ed t h at h e h ad “ te rrib le hou rs o f s e lf - d o u bt” b ec au se o f t h e w ay W ie c k t r e ate d h im : h e h ad b een “re p u ls e d , in su lt e d , s la n dere d .” B ut, h e a d m it te d , “ I lo ve a n d h on or y o u r f a th er f o r his m an y g re at a n d n oble q u ali t ie s, m ore t h an a n yo n e e ls e c an , e x cep t f o r y o u . I t is a p rim it iv e, in nate a tta c h m en t o n m y p art, a s u bm is sio n I f e el t o w ard h im , a s I d o to w ard a ll e n erg etic n atu re s.” 12 If R obert c o u ld w rit e t h ese w ord s in 1 838, w hen h e w as a lr e ad y a n e sta b li s h ed ed it o r, c rit ic , a n d c o m po se r, h is n eed f o r W ie c k m ust h av e b een s tr o n ger s till in 1831. R obert, a t t w en ty -o n e, w as s till “ fin din g h im se lf .” H is in dec is io n a n d u nre st la ste d w ell in to h is t w en tie s, a n d t h e c y cli c , s e em in gly u npre d ic ta b le a lt e rn atio n s o f mood t h at r e m ain ed w it h h im t o t h e e n d o f h is li f e h ad a lr e ad y m ad e t h eir ap peara n ce. T orn b etw een h is d esir e s t o p erfo rm , c o m po se , w rit e , a n d d ir e c t, co n tin ually r u nnin g o u t o f f u nds, r e m in ded d aily b y C la ra ’s s k ill o f h is la te s ta rt a s a p ia n is t, h e s till t u rn ed t o h is m oth er f o r m on ey , c o m fo rt, a n d s e c u rit y . T hus, when h e w as c o n sid erin g s tu dy w it h H um mel in 1 831, h e p ro po se d t h at s h e le av e her h om e in Z w ic k au a n d h er o th er c h ild re n a n d g ra n dch ild re n t o li v e w it h h im in Weim ar.
13 He w as a ls o s u ffe rin g f r o m a “ w ou nd” o f s o m e k in d d u rin g t h is t im e. W heth er th is w as t h e t r o u ble t h at a ffe c te d h is f in ger a n d u lt im ate ly f o rc ed h im t o a b an do n a care er a s a p erfo rm er o r s o m e o th er illn ess is n ot c le ar.
14 R obert w as o verw ro u gh t much o f t h e t im e. I n S ep te m ber 1 831 h e w ro te h is b ro th er J u li u s t h at h e w as in 74 su ch a s ta te o f r e stle ssn ess a n d in dec is io n t h at h e a lm ost w is h ed t o p u t a b u lle t th ro u gh h is h ead . I n a f it o f h yp o ch on dria t r ig gere d b y t h e c h ole ra e p id em ic t h at was s w eep in g E uro pe in t h e e arly 1 830s, h e c o n fid ed in h is a lr e ad y n erv o u s m oth er th at h e h ad w rit te n a w ill, “ p rin cip ally f o r y o u r s a k e.” 15 Thro u gh ou t t h is t u m ult u ou s y ear, S ch um an n w as c o m po sin g. H is e arli e st atte m pts h ad b een in Z w ic k au a n d H eid elb erg , w ell b efo re h e h ad a c q u ir e d a n y su bsta n tia l f o rm al t r a in in g. I n J u ly 1 831 h e b eg an t o s tu dy c o u nte rp o in t a n d th oro u gh bass ( b asic s k ills t h at h e h ad a v o id ed u p t o t h at t im e f o r f e ar t h ey m ig h t in hib it h is c re ativ it y ) w it h H ein ric h D orn , d ir e c to r o f t h e L eip zig o pera , a m an on ly s ix y ears h is s e n io r. ( T w elv e-y ear- o ld C la ra b eg an s tu die s w it h D orn in 1 832.) The “ d u ll” le sso n s, p ro vid in g a d is c ip li n e t o w hic h R obert h ad n ev er b efo re su bm it te d ( a n d s o m etim es li g h te n ed w it h c h am pag n e, a c co rd in g t o h is t e ac h er), were n ot a p pre c ia te d a t t h e t im e: “ I w ill n ev er b e a b le t o g et t o geth er w it h D orn ; he h as n o f e eli n gs, a n d w hat’s m ore , h as t h at E ast P ru ssia n t o n e.” B ut h e a d m it te d la te r t h at t h e t h eo re tic al s tu die s w ere a g o od in flu en ce.
16 D orn ’s r e c o lle c tio n o f Sch um an n w as t h at h e w as a n a v id s tu den t a n d a lw ay s p ro du ced m ore t h an w as re q u ir e d o f h im . R obert w as d is tr e sse d w hen D orn d is c o n tin ued t h e le sso n s, b u t pu rsu ed t h eo re tic al a n d a n aly tic al s tu die s o n h is o w n.
Wit h t h e p u bli c atio n o f h is f ir st c o m po sit io n s, t h e t ie s b etw een S ch um an n a n d th e li t tle g ir l g re w s tr o n ger. O n C la ra ’s r e tu rn f r o m P aris , h e b ro u gh t h is Pap illo n s , his s e c o n d p u bli s h ed w ork , t o W ie c k , w ho t h ou gh t t h e m usic p iq u an t a n d o rig in al an d im med ia te ly g av e it t o C la ra t o le arn . D is a p po in te d a t h er f ir st r e ad in gs, Sch um an n d esc rib ed h er p la y in g a s u ncerta in a n d w an tin g in u ndersta n din g; h e f e lt th at t h e t h ir te en -y ear- o ld d id n ot h av e f u ll c o n tr o l o ver t h e w ork . D esp it e t h e “so u lf u ln ess” a n d “ h ealt h y e n th usia sm ” o f h er p erfo rm an ce, h e c o m pla in ed h e mis se d a c erta in t e n dern ess. B ut f in ally , o n M ay 2 7, h e w ro te , “ I h av e n ev er y et heard C la ra p la y a s s h e d id t o day — ev ery th in g w as p la y ed m aste rfu lly a n d a ls o beau tif u lly .” 17 For h is t w en ty -se c o n d b ir th day , o n J u ne 8 , C la ra p la y ed t w o o f h is P ag an in i Cap ric es ( o p. 3 ) f o r h im a n d a ls o g av e h im a s m all g if t s h e h ad b ro u gh t f r o m P aris .
He w as p le ase d b y h er a tte n tio n b u t v alu ed h er p erfo rm an ce a b o ve a ll, f o r b y t h e tim e Pap illo n s c am e o u t, R obert h ad g iv en u p t h e t h ou gh t o f a c o n cert c are er, re so lv ed t o b ec o m e a c o m po se r, a n d w as t u rn in g t o t h e y o u ng g ir l f o r perfo rm an ces o f h is w ork .
Fro m t h is t im e o n , C la ra w as t h e f o re m ost in te rp re te r o f h is p ia n o w ork s. A to u ch in g r e m in der o f t h is d ep en den ce is a le tte r h e w ro te f r o m V ie n na a f e w y ears la te r:
75 I a m so m etim es u nhap py, p artic u la rly h ere , b ec au se I h av e a n in ju re d h an d.
And I w an t to te ll y o u it is g ettin g w orse . I h av e o fte n c rie d to h eav en a n d ask ed , “ G od, w hy d id y o u d o th is to m e— of all p eo ple ?” It w ou ld h av e sto od m e in su ch g o od ste ad , e sp ec ia lly h ere ; m usic is so c o m ple te a n d a li v e wit h in m e th at I o u gh t to b e a b le to e x h ale it li k e a w his p ere d b re ath . B ut now I c an sc arc ely p la y a t a ll a n d o n e fin ger stu m ble s o ver th e o th er. It is re ally te rrib le an d h as alr e ad y g iv en m e so m uch p ain . N ow , y o u are m y rig h t h an d a n d y o u , y o u m ust ta k e c are o f y o u rse lf so th at n oth in g h ap pen s to y o u . I o fte n th in k o f th e h ap py h ou rs y o u w ill g iv e m e th ro u gh y o u r art.
18 In c o n tr a st t o C la ra , w ho li v ed in a h ou se h old o f r e g u la r r o u tin es a n d c o n tr o lle d sta b ili t y a n d c o n cen tr a te d o n t h e c are er la id o u t s o c are fu lly b y h er f a th er, R obert, nin e y ears o ld er, c h an ged c are er p la n s s e v era l t im es, a n d s u ffe re d p h ysic al a n d men ta l c ris e s t h at C la ra w as n ev er t o e x p erie n ce. H e w as h au nte d b y t h e t h ou gh t of in sa n it y ; f e ar o f h eig h ts f o rc ed h im t o le av e h is f o u rth -flo or r o om a n d m ove in wit h a f r ie n d o n t h e f ir st; h e a sk ed a c o m pan io n t o s ta y w it h h im d u rin g t h e n ig h t.
The d eath s o f h is b ro th er J u li u s a n d, s o on a fte rw ard , h is b elo ved s is te r- in -la w Rosa li e d eep en ed h is a n gu is h a n d f e ars, a n d h e r e fe rre d t o t h e n ig h t o f O cto ber 17– 18, 1 833, a s “ th e m ost f r ig h tf u l” in h is li f e .
19 By D ec em ber t h e m en ta l a n gu is h w as o ver, p o ssib ly a lle v ia te d b y a n ew a n d clo se f r ie n dsh ip w it h L udw ig S ch unke. I n t h e n ew y ear, 1 834, d esc rib ed b y Sch um an n a s “ th e m ost s ig n if ic an t o f m y li f e ,” 20 h e b eg an w ork in g o n p la n s f o r a new m usic al jo u rn al, a p ro je c t in w hic h h is m usic al a n d li t e ra ry t a le n ts w ou ld b e unit e d . H e a n d a g ro u p o f f r ie n ds, d u bbed t h e David sb u ndle r , 3 f o u nded t h e Neu e Zeit s ch rift fü r M usik , a w eek ly jo u rn al in te n ded t o c o u nte ra c t t h e c o n se rv ativ e, “P hili s tin e” t e n den cie s o f t h e m usic al w orld a n d t h e r e ac tio n ary in flu en ce o f s u ch jo u rn als a s t h e Allg em ein e m usik ali s ch e Z eit u ng . O nly o n e o f a g ro u p o f e d it o rs du rin g t h e f ir st y ear ( th e o th ers w ere J u li u s K norr, L udw ig Sch unke, W ie c k , a n d Chris tia n F erd in an d H artm an n, t h e p u bli s h er), S ch um an n w as t h e b u sie st, co n du ctin g m ost o f t h e c o rre sp o n den ce, c o n ta c tin g p o te n tia l c o n tr ib u to rs, e d it in g artic le s, w rit in g r e v ie w s, n eg o tia tin g a n d p la n nin g. H e c o n tin ued t o c o m po se a s well. A n ew p h ase o f h is li f e b eg an w hen h e d ec id ed t o b u y t h e jo u rn al a n d r u n it him se lf . ( S ch unke d ie d in D ec em ber 1 834 a n d S ch um an n h ad a f a lli n g o u t w it h Knorr a n d H artm an n, b u t W ie c k r e m ain ed a n a sso cia te f o r s e v era l y ears.) I n 1 835, afte r m uch m an eu verin g, h e b ec am e t h e s o le o w ner a n d d ir e c to r o f t h e jo u rn al, whic h h e w as t o e d it f o r t e n y ears.
21 Durin g t h ese b u sy y ears, S ch um an n w as b rie fly e n gag ed t o a y o u ng w om an 76 who h ad c o m e t o L eip zig t o s tu dy w it h W ie c k . S ch um an n a n nou nced h er a rriv al in a le tte r t o h is m oth er d ate d J u ly 2 , 1 834:
Tw o g lo rio u s c re atu re s o f t h e f a ir s e x h av e r e c en tly jo in ed o u r c ir c le . O ne o f th em , E m ili e ... is t h e s ix te en -y ear- o ld d au gh te r o f t h e A m eric an c o n su l L is t, an E ngli s h w om an [sic ] th ro u gh a n d th ro u gh w it h k een sp ark li n g e y es, d ark hair , fir m ste p , fu ll o f in te lle c t, d ig n it y , a n d li f e .
4 T he o th er, E rn estin e. . .
.” 22 When E rn estin e v o n F ric k en f ir st c am e t o L eip zig t o s tu dy a n d b o ard w it h Wie c k , in A pril 1 834, C la ra e n jo yed t h e t h ou gh t o f a n oth er f r ie n d c lo se t o h er ag e.
5 W ie c k , h ow ev er, h ad e v id en tly d ec id ed m on th s e arli e r, in a c co rd an ce w it h his g ra n d p la n f o r h is d au gh te r’s c are er, t h at s h e w as t o g o t o D re sd en t o w ork o n Fre n ch a n d E ngli s h , s tu dy in str u m en ta tio n w it h K ap ellm eis te r C arl R eis sig er, a n d ta k e v o ic e le sso n s f r o m J o h an n A lo ys M ik sc h . C la ra v ie w ed t h is a rra n gem en t a s ban is h m en t f r o m L eip zig a n d h er f r ie n ds. T he le tte r s h e w ro te R obert o n h is bir th day , J u ne 8 , r e v eals h er s ta te o f m in d:
Is th is p erm it te d , H . S ch um an n, to p ay so li t tle a tte n tio n to a f r ie n d a n d n ot writ e to h er e v en o n ce? E very tim e th e m ail arriv ed , I h oped to re c eiv e a li t tle le tte r fr o m a c erta in H err— Enth usia st, b u t a la s, I w as d is a p po in te d . I co m fo rte d m yse lf w it h th e th ou gh t th at a t le ast y o u w ou ld c o m e h ere , b u t my f a th er ju st w ro te t h at y o u w ou ld n ot b e c o m in g b ec au se K norr is ill.
23 When s h e c am e h om e f r o m D re sd en a t t h e e n d o f J u ly f o r t h e c h ris te n in g o f her h alf s is te r C ac ili e , s h e s a w R obert a n d E rn estin e t o geth er a n d r e ali z e d so m eth in g w as g o in g o n b u t t r ie d t o ig n ore it . A n e n tr y in h er d ia ry ( w rit te n b y Wie c k ) d ate d J u ly 2 4, 1 834, r e fe rs o n ly t o t w o y o u ng m en s h e m et in L eip zig . O ne was C arl B an ck , “ a h ig h ly c u lt iv ate d m usic ia n a n d s o n g c o m po se r a n d te ac h er, who h as m ad e m y s ta y h ere v ery p le asa n t.” R obert w as p erc ep tiv e e n ou gh t o n ote in h is d ia ry t h at s h e r e tu rn ed t o D re sd en “ sa d ly .” 24 Fou r y ears la te r s h e w ro te t o R obert, “ W hen I r e tu rn ed t o L eip zig , I w as t o rn fr o m m y p ara d is e . E rn estin e b are ly s p o ke t o m e— sh e w as m is tr u stf u l— fo r w hic h I had t r u ly g iv en h er n o c au se ; M oth er t o ld m e a b o u t a b eau tif u l le tte r y o u h ad writ te n h er o n C ac ili e ’s c h ris te n in g— an d t h en I h eard y o u w ere b etr o th ed .” 25 Robert w as c o n vin ced t h at h e w as in lo ve w it h E rn estin e v o n F ric k en , w ho h as been d esc rib ed a s “ p h ysic ally lu xu ria n t, e m otio n ally s tr o n gly d ev elo ped , a n d 77 in te lle c tu ally in sig n if ic an t.” 26 W it h a li t tle a id f r o m H en rie tte V oig t, a n o ld er, marrie d w om an o f w hom h e w as f o n d, a n d w ho e v id en tly e n jo yed m atc h m ak in g, he q u ic k ly p ersu ad ed E rn estin e o f h is a ffe c tio n . R um ors r e ac h ed h er f a th er, w ho wro te f r o m h is h om e a t A sc h t o a sk W ie c k in a la rm w hat w as g o in g o n . W ie c k ’s re p ly b ro u gh t t h e b aro n v o n F ric k en t o L eip zig , a n d h is a rriv al s e em ed t o b rin g t h e affa ir t o a h ead . W hen E rn estin e le ft L eip zig o n S ep te m ber 6 w it h h er f a th er, w ho was ill, it w as c le ar t h at s h e a n d R obert h ad a n “ u ndersta n din g,” a n d t h at in L eip zig sh e w as r e g ard ed a s h is f ia n cee. C la ra w as n ot u nhap py t o s e e h er g o .
Eugen ie S ch um an n, t h e y o u ngest o f t h e S ch um an n d au gh te rs, h as t o ld o f a co m men t w rit te n b y h er m oth er in t h e m arg in o f P hili p p S p it ta ’s 1 882 b io gra p h y of R obert S ch um an n. S p it ta h ad w rit te n , “ A s f a r a s w e k n ow , a s p ec ia l a ffe c tio n [b etw een R obert a n d C la ra ] f ir st w as a p pare n t in t h e s p rin g o f 1 836.” C la ra co rre c te d t h e e n tr y : “ A lr e ad y in 1 833.” 27 W it h t h e a d van ta g e o f h in dsig h t a n d aw are n ess o f t h e g ir l’ s p re ad o le sc en t lo n gin gs, w e m ig h t d ate it e v en e arli e r.
Cla ra ’s r e la tio n sh ip w it h R obert, w hom s h e h ad f ir st m et w hen s h e w as n in e, had m an y e le m en ts : a m utu al o n go in g c h ild is h f a n ta sy b ase d o n h is s to rie s, m usic th ey im pro vis e d a n d p la y ed t o geth er, s h are d m em orie s a n d e x p erie n ces, m oth erly co n cern , a n d g ir li s h c o qu ettis h ness. S h e w as e le v en w hen R obert li v ed a t h er h ou se an d s h e f ir st e n jo yed h is a tte n tio n s, h is s to rie s, a n d t h e c h ild is h g am es h e p la y ed wit h h er a n d h er b ro th ers— ple asu re s s h e h ad n ev er b efo re e x p erie n ced . S h e p la c ed his n am e o n h er li s t o f t h ose w ho w ere t o r e c eiv e c o pie s o f h er o pu s 1 , p u bli s h ed in 1 831. O pu s 3 , h er Rom an ce v arie e , w as d ed ic ate d t o h im ( p re su m ab ly w it h h er fa th er’s p erm is sio n ) a n d s e n t o ff w it h t h is p la y fu l le tte r:
Much a s I r e g re t h av in g d ed ic ate d th e e n clo se d tr if le to y o u , a n d m uch a s I wis h ed th at th ese v aria tio n s n ot b e p rin te d , th e e v il h as a lr e ad y c o m e to p ass an d c an not b e alt e re d . T here fo re , I ask y o u r fo rg iv en ess fo r th e e n clo se d .
You r in gen io u s s e ttin g o f t h is li t tle m usic al t h ou gh t w ill r e d eem t h e e rro rs in min e.
6 I w ou ld li k e to re q u est y o u rs; I can h ard ly w ait to m ak e a clo se r ac q u ain ta n ce w it h it .
28 When R obert le ft f o r a v is it t o Z w ic k au in 1 832, C la ra s e n t h im n ew s o f Leip zig ’s m usic al li f e w it h t h e e x p la n atio n “ I ju st w an t t o m ak e y o u c u rio u s s o t h at yo u w ill lo n g f o r L eip zig .” S h e n eed le d t h e y o u ng c o m po se r: “ L is te n , H err [R ic h ard ] W ag n er h as o u td is ta n ced y o u . A s y m ph on y o f h is w as p erfo rm ed ; it is a s li k e B eeth oven ’s A -M ajo r S ym ph on y a s it is p o ssib le t o b e.” S h e t e ase d h im a b o u t le av in g h is la u ndry in a c arria g e a n d w ro te o f s a v in g a C hris tm as c ak e f o r h im (w hic h w as n ot y et b ak ed ). T he le tte r c lo se d w it h a c au tio u s n eu tr a li t y : “ Y ou r 78 fr ie n d, C la ra W ie c k .” 29 A c h ild is h le tte r? P erh ap s, b u t t h is p la y fu l g ir l w as a sk in g fo r a tte n tio n , c h id in g t h e m an , t o yin g w it h h im . C om in g f r o m C la ra W ie c k , alr e ad y a r e c o gn iz e d a rtis t, t h e r e fe re n ce t o W ag n er’s s u ccess m ust h av e b een li k e a tw is tin g k n if e . B ut w ho c o u ld t a k e h er s e rio u sly ? S h e w as o n ly t h ir te en .
By t h e t im e E rn estin e v o n F ric k en a rriv ed in L eip zig , C la ra v ie w ed R obert a s her s p ec ia l f r ie n d; w hen s h e r e ali z e d t h e e x te n t o f t h e r e la tio n sh ip b etw een R obert an d E rn estin e, h er r e ac tio n w as t y p ic ally a d o le sc en t. S h e f li r te d w it h B an ck a n d le t it b e k n ow n ( th ro u gh h er f a th er) t h at s h e h ad f a lle n in lo ve w it h a c elli s t in Mag d eb u rg , k n ow in g f u ll w ell t h at t h is n ew s w ou ld r e ac h S ch um an n. H is affe c tio n s f o r E rn estin e w ere c o oli n g r a p id ly , h ow ev er, a n d b y t h e s u m mer o f 1 835 th e e n gag em en t, n ev er f o rm ali z e d , w as o ver a s f a r a s R obert w as c o n cern ed . I n t h e sp rin g, w hile t h e t ie s w ere lo ose n in g, h e w as a g ain s e ein g C la ra d aily . D urin g t h is tr a n sit io n f r o m E rn estin e t o C la ra , R obert S ch um an n s e em s t o h av e b een em otio n ally a tta c h ed t o b o th y o u ng w om en . A fte r r e c eiv in g a b ir th day g if t f r o m Cla ra , h e s e t o ff f o r Z w ic k au a n d A sc h , E rn estin e’s h om e.
Early in t h e f a ll o f 1 835 C la ra c ele b ra te d h er s ix te en th a n d, a c co rd in g t o h er dia ry , “ m ost b rilli a n t” b ir th day w it h a g ro u p o f h er f a th er’s f r ie n ds, a ll m en , a n d se v era l o f t h em , t o h er jo y, y o u ng. I n a le tte r t o E m ili e L is t, a fte r li s tin g h er m an y bir th day p re se n ts ( in clu din g “ th e c o m ple te w ork s o f B ulw er” f r o m S ch um an n), s h e desc rib ed t h e g re at d ay :
In th e e arly m orn in g, a b o u t h alf p ast six , I re c eiv ed m y th in gs, a n d w hen I had lo oked a t e v ery th in g, I u rg ed F ath er t o g et g o in g, o th erw is e it w ou ld g et to o la te . (W e h ad , a s y o u k n ow , p ro po se d to g o to th e K uch en garte n .) B ut Fath er s a id , “ Ju st w ait a li t tle w hile lo n ger. T he o th ers [ m en ] w ill b e c o m in g so on in o rd er to g o w it h u s.” . . . Ju st th en , as I w an te d to g o o u t,... a se rv an t gir l cam e. Sh e carrie d a beau tif u l w re ath on a gla ss pla te . I re c o gn iz e d her as Sch um an n’s se rv an t, to ok th e pla te fr o m her, lo oked in sid e, an d, im ag in e m y su rp ris e , fo u nd a b ask et w it h a p o rc ela in h an dle wit h in , a n d, in th e b ask et, a g o ld en c y li n der w atc h . Y ou c an not im ag in e m y asto n is h m en t a s w ell a s m y jo y. Y ou m ust c erta in ly b e w on derin g— as I w as —th e w atc h c o u ld n ot p o ssib ly b e f r o m S ch um an n a lo n e? N o, th at w as n ot th e case . In deed , it w as fr o m S ch um an n, [D r. M orit z ] R eu te r, [W ilh elm ] Ule x , [L ou is ] R ak em an n, [E rn st] W en ze l, a n d [E rn st] P fu ndt. Im med ia te ly afte rw ard w e w en t— I w it h th e g o ld en w atc h — to th e K uch en garte n , an d th ere w ere t h e S te g m ay ers, w ho h ad p la c ed a h uge b o u qu et o n t h e t a b le . W e were n ’t sit tin g lo n g w hen th e ab o ve-m en tio n ed w atc h giv ers cam e, all ad o rn ed w it h “ b u rn in g lo ve” [ th e f lo w er p ela rg o n iu m ].
You c an im ag in e m y e m barra ssm en t. I c o u ld n ’t u tte r a w ord . . . . ( T he 79 po rc ela in b ask et w as f r o m H err S ch um an n a lo n e.) At t w elv e o ’c lo ck , t h e s ix g en tle m en ( a n d F eli x M en dels so h n a s w ell) re tu rn ed a n d d in ed w it h u s. N ow im ag in e m y h ero ic c o u ra g e: a s w e w ere drin kin g c h am pag n e, I s to od u p w it h t h e g la ss in m y h an d. E very o n e w as am az e d , a n d I b eg an a n d s a id , “ G en tle m en , I c an not r e fr a in f r o m e x p re ssin g my w arm est t h an ks f o r t h e b eau tif u l g if t.” W as t h at n ot lo vely ? T he gen tle m en s till c an ’t f o rg et it . ... I m ust h av e s e em ed q u it e s tu pid . . . . A fte r we a te , I p la y ed f o r M en dels so h n a n d h e p la y ed a ls o . E very o n e le ft a t 5 o’c lo ck , b u t a t 6 , D r. R eu te r a n d S ch um an n c am e r o u nd t o f e tc h u s f o r a walk . H ow ev er, w e d an ced u ntil 8 a n d t h en w en t o u t w alk in g.
That w as t h e f a m ou s s ix te en th b ir th day . O h, E m ili e , if y o u o n ly h ad been h ere . I t w as m arv elo u s. I w ill n ot f o rg et t h is d ay s o on . W e a re s a v in g a li t tle p o st- p arty c ele b ra tio n u ntil y o u a n d H err B an ck a re h ere a g ain .
30 Excep t f o r F eli x M en dels so h n, t h e n ew ly a p po in te d d ir e c to r o f t h e G ew an dh au s Orc h estr a , t h e g u ests w ere o ld f r ie n ds o f W ie c k ’s a n d a sso cia te s o f S ch um an n o n th e Neu e Z eit s ch rift fü r M usik . W e m ay a ssu m e t h at F ra u W ie c k w as p re se n t a s hoste ss, b u t, a s u su al, s h e is n ot m en tio n ed . C la ra , t h ou gh s o o fte n s u rro u nded b y ad u lt m en — fr ie n ds, s tu den ts , a n d w alk in g c o m pan io n s o f h er f a th er 7 —ev id en tly still f o u nd it e asie r t o c o m munic ate w it h t h em t h ro u gh t h e p ia n o t h an t h ro u gh sp eec h . H er c h ara c te ris tic s h yn ess in s p eak in g e x p la in s h er p rid e in f in ally b ein g ab le t o t h an k t h e g en tle m en p ro perly .
Sch um an n a b an do n ed a ll p rin cip le s s o on a fte r C la ra ’s b ir th day ; h e a ssu re d h er th at a ll w as o ver b etw een h im a n d E rn estin e, t h at E rn estin e w as e n gag ed t o so m eo n e e ls e . ( S h e w as n ot.) R ec alli n g t h ose m on th s s e v era l y ears la te r, h e w ro te in his d ia ry :
Cla ra ’s b ir th day o n S ep te m ber 1 3. . . . C la ra ’s e y es a n d h er lo ve. . . . T he fir st k is s in N ovem ber. T hen h er t r ip t o Z w ic k au a t t h e e n d o f N ovem ber. I fo llo w . O ur m eetin g. . . . B re ak w it h E rn estin e. . . . C la ra ’s re tu rn to Leip zig . T he p o or R ak em an n [ a n oth er s u it o r o f C la ra ’s ]. L ovely h ou rs in h er arm s in t h e e v en in gs in t h e W ie c k h ou se . C hris tm as 1 835— New Y ear’s D ay 1836— bre ak w it h W ie c k . C om ple te s e p ara tio n f r o m E rn estin e.
31 Cla ra w as d eli r io u sly h ap py. S h e w ro te t o h im la te r, “ W hen y o u g av e m e t h at fir st k is s, I t h ou gh t I w ou ld f a in t; e v ery th in g w en t b la n k a n d I c o u ld b are ly h old th e la m p t h at w as li g h tin g y o u r w ay o u t.” 32 The k is se s c o n tin ued w hen t h ey m et in Z w ic k au in D ec em ber o n a c o n cert t o u r 80 Wie c k h ad a rra n ged . T he e n gag em en t t o E rn estin e w as o ver— alt h ou gh E rn estin e did n ot k n ow it u ntil J a n uary 1 836. ( I n 1 838 s h e m arrie d t h e b aro n v o n Z ed tw it z , to t h e g re at r e li e f o f R obert a n d C la ra , a n d s h e w as la te r g en ero u s e n ou gh t o c o m e to t h eir a id in t h e le g al p ro ceed in gs b etw een W ie c k a n d R obert.) L ulle d b y Robert’s a tta c h m en t t o E rn estin e, W ie c k d id n ot r e ali z e w hat w as h ap pen in g f o r so m e t im e, b u t w hen h is s u sp ic io n s w ere a t la st aro u se d , h is f ir st r e ac tio n w as t o re m ove h is d au gh te r f r o m L eip zig . H e t o ok h er t o D re sd en o n J a n uary 1 4 a n d re m ain ed t h ere w it h h er u ntil F eb ru ary 7 , w hen h e h ad t o le av e o n b u sin ess.
(W ie c k w as s till r e n tin g a n d s e lli n g p ia n os.) C la ra s ta y ed o n in D re sd en w it h fr ie n ds.
In t h e f ir st f lu sh o f lo ve, R obert p ersis te d in t h e n aiv e b eli e f t h at W ie c k w ou ld ap pro ve t h eir m arria g e. S in ce W ie c k a d m ir e d R obert’s c o m po sit io n s, h ad t r e ate d him a s a f r ie n d, a n d h ad b een a r e sp ec tf u l c o lla b o ra to r o n t h e Zeit s ch rift , h e a ssu m ed Wie c k w ou ld b e h ap py t o s e e h is d au gh te r a n d t h e p ro m is in g y o u ng c o m po se r unit e d . H e w en t s o f a r a s t o c o n vin ce h im se lf t h at h e h ad b een “ ch ose n ” a n d ed u cate d t o b e C la ra ’s h usb an d.
33 I n o rd in ary c ir c u m sta n ces, R obert S ch um an n was p erc ep tiv e a n d s h ow ed u nusu al d ep th s o f s e n sib ili t y a n d s e lf - u ndersta n din g f o r a y o u ng m an , b u t in t h is s it u atio n h e m is ju dged W ie c k c o m ple te ly . F org ettin g, o r perh ap s s u ppre ssin g, h is m em orie s o f W ie c k ’s t e m per, je alo u sy , a n d p o sse ssiv en ess, he w as a sto n is h ed a n d h urt a t W ie c k ’s f u ry w hen t h e f a th er le arn ed t h at R obert an d h is f r ie n d W ilh elm U le x h ad v is it e d C la ra in D re sd en b etw een F eb ru ary 7 a n d 11, w hile h e w as a w ay . D urin g t h at t im e p ro m is e s h ad b een e x ch an ged a n d le tte rs arra n ged . B y t h e t im e W ie c k r e tu rn ed , R obert w as o n h is w ay t o Z w ic k au t o p ay bela te d r e sp ec ts t o h is m oth er, w ho h ad d ie d o n F eb ru ary 4 , a n d t o t a k e c are o f t h e will a n d o th er le g al m atte rs. ( U nab le t o b rin g h im se lf t o a tte n d t h e f u nera l, R obert had g o n e t o s e e C la ra in ste ad .) The s tr u ggle b etw een W ie c k a n d R obert f o r C la ra t h at b eg an a fte r t h is in cid en t was c o m pli c ate d b y t h e f a c t t h at C la ra a n d R obert b o th n eed ed W ie c k a t t h is p o in t in t h eir li v es. S ch um an n w an te d t o b e b o th s o n a n d s o n -in -la w t o h is o ld t e ac h er.
Yearn in g f o r t h e s ta b ili t y a n d f ir m ness o f a n a sso cia tio n w it h W ie c k , h e w as sh ock ed t o f in d h e c o u ld n ot h av e C la ra a n d W ie c k t o o. C la ra k n ew s h e w as in lo ve w it h R obert b u t u ndersto od h er f a th er w ell e n ou gh t o s u ppre ss S ch um an n’s nam e in h er d ia ry ; it a p pears o ccasio n ally a n d o n ly in a n o ffh an d w ay in C la ra ’s han dw rit in g d u rin g t h e n ex t f e w m on th s. M usic , h er c are er, a n d t h e d aily r o u tin es org an iz e d b y h er f a th er s till r e m ain ed t h e c en te r o f h er li f e . W it h in t h e n ex t t w o years, h ow ev er, s h e w as t o t a k e t h e f ir st f a lt e rin g s te p s o n h er o w n. W ie c k , su pre m ely in se n sit iv e t o t h ose a ro u nd h im , p ro ceed ed im pu ls iv ely a n d ir ra tio n ally to w ard t h e e str a n gem en t t h at w as t o e m bit te r h is li f e .
Now , in F eb ru ary 1 836, W ie c k ’s r a g e e ru pte d a t C la ra f o r t h e f ir st t im e. H e 81 th re ate n ed t o s h oot S ch um an n if s h e s h ou ld m eet h im a g ain . H e e n te re d h is th ou gh ts o n t h eir d ec eit f u l b eh av io r in h er d ia ry . A ll t h e in su lt s , t h re ats , a n d f u ry th at s h e h ad s e en v is it e d o n h er b ro th ers ( a n d p erh ap s, in t h e d im p ast, o n h er moth er) b u rst u po n h er n ow . F ro m b elo ved p u pil a n d p ro te g ee, s o u rc e o f a ll Wie c k ’s a rtis tic a n d p erso n al g ra tif ic atio n , s h e h ad s u dden ly b ec o m e t h e e n em y.
Wie c k s c h ed u le d a n oth er lo n g c o n cert t r ip t o k eep h er a w ay f r o m L eip zig a n d, ex cep t f o r a m aid , w as h er s o le c o m pan io n o n a c o n cert t o u r t o D re sd en , G örli t z , an d B re sla u f r o m F eb ru ary t o A pril. I t w as a m is e ra b ly u nhap py t o u r, wit h W ie c k in a r a g e f r o m b eg in nin g t o e n d. I n C la ra ’s d ia ry h e f u m ed a t t h e m is e rly D re sd en au die n ces, t h e in ad eq u ate p ia n os, w eak o rc h estr a s, a n d d ir ty lo dgin gs.
34 H e s e n t Sch um an n a n in su lt in g le tte r in fo rm in g h im t h at a ll c o n nec tio n s b etw een h im a n d th e W ie c k h ou se h old w ere s e v ere d . F or a lm ost a y ear a n d a h alf C la ra a n d R obert, fo r s o lo n g d aily c o m pan io n s, d id n ot m eet o r c o m munic ate in a n y w ay . F rie n ds kep t h im in fo rm ed o f C la ra ’s w here ab o u ts a n d d o in gs. J o h an n P ete r L yse r, a c lo se fr ie n d, d esc rib ed a c o n cert h e h ad a tte n ded in D re sd en :
Feb ru ary 2 4, 1 836 There is n ot m uch m ore t o t e ll y o u a b o u t C la ra ’s la st c o n cert e x cep t w hat is e x p ec te d : it w as ja m med , a B eeth oven o vertu re o pen ed t h e c o n cert, t h en Cla ra a p peare d — sto rm y r e c ep tio n — Now s h e p la y ed “ L a c i d are m la man o”— You k n ow h ow !
Lie d er o h n e W orte b y F eli x ( g iv e h im t h re e k is se s fo r it ) , a B ac h e tu de, a n d v aria tio n s b y H erz .
The a u die n ce a p pla u ded m ad ly , t h e O ld M an h ad a f u ll m on ey c h est, Cla ra m ad e h er b o w s. . . , 35 Sin ce C la ra ’s d ia ry w as s till in la rg e p art h er f a th er’s , w e h av e n o d ir e c t kn ow le d ge o f h er f e eli n gs. T ou rin g w it h h er f a th er, s h ut u p w it h h im f o r d ay s o n en d in s lo w c o ac h es a n d r e h earsa l h alls , c lo se te d in u nco m fo rta b le in ns, s h e w as fo rc ed t o e n du re h is a tta c k s o n R obert ju st a t t h e p o in t w here a lo ve lo n g c h eris h ed an d s e c re tly h oped f o r h ad s e em ed p o ssib le . Y et W ie c k e x p ec te d h is d au gh te r t o carry o n h er c o n cert c are er a s s h e h ad a lw ay s d o n e, a n d s h e a c q u ie sc ed . H er o n ly co n ta c t w it h R obert w as t h ro u gh h is m usic ; s h e p la y ed h is T occata a n d F ir st P ia n o So n ata ( in m an usc rip t) f o r s m all p riv ate m usic al c ir c le s in D re sd en a n d B re sla u a t ev ery o ppo rtu nit y . W ie c k a p pare n tly h ad n o o bje c tio n .
Durin g t h is f ir st, lo n g s e p ara tio n , S ch um an n t h re w h im se lf in to w ork — co m po sin g, s tu dyin g, w rit in g— an d a n a c tiv e s o cia l li f e . A m on g h is c lo se f r ie n ds an d c o m pan io n s w ere M en dels so h n, F erd in an d D av id ( c o n certm aste r o f t h e Gew an dh au s O rc h estr a ), t h e w ealt h y m usic al V oig t f a m ily , D r. M orit z R eu te r, Wilh elm U le x ( a m usic t e ac h er), a n d t h e g re atly a d m ir e d E ngli s h p ia n is t a n d 82 co m po se r W illi a m S te rn dale B en nett, w ho a rriv ed in L eip zig a t t h e e n d o f O cto ber 1836. S ch um an n le t h is s o rro w s b e k n ow n t o a ll L eip zig a n d p o in ts s o u th . T o h is sis te r- in -la w , T here se , h e r e v eale d h is s o u l: “ C om e s o on a n d b e a g o od s is te r t o me; I h av e n o o n e t o g iv e m e w om an ly c are .” H e d esc rib ed b rie fly w hat w as hap pen in g b etw een t h e W ie c k f a m ily a n d h im se lf . “ I a m in a c rit ic al s it u atio n a n d la c k t h e c alm a n d c le ar s ig h t t h at w ou ld e n ab le m e t o p u ll o u t o f it . T he w ay it sta n ds n ow is t h at e it h er I c an n ev er s p eak w it h h er a g ain o r s h e w ill b e m in e en tir e ly .” T hou gh h e h ad m an y m ale f r ie n ds, h e m is se d a w om an in h is li f e . I n Dec em ber 1 836 h e w ro te t o T here se , “ O h, r e m ain t r u e t o m e. I n t h e d ead ly an xie ty in to w hic h I s o m etim es f a ll, I h av e n o o n e b u t y o u t o t u rn t o , t o h old m e by t h e a rm a n d s u ppo rt m e.” 36 These w ere t h e y ears w hen S ch um an n w as c re atin g h is b est- k n ow n w ork s, th ose im passio n ed p ia n o p ie c es t h at in clu de t h e David sb u ndle rta n z e , t h e Fan - ta sie stu ck e , t h e F an ta sie in C M ajo r, a n d t h e t h re e p ia n o s o n ata s. A p u bli s h ed c o py of h is S o n ata in F -sh arp M in or, “ d ed ic ate d t o C la ra b y F lo re sta n a n d E use b iu s,” was s e n t t o h er in M ay 1 836. C la ra w as n ot p erm it te d t o a c k n ow le d ge r e c eip t o f th e s o n ata , a n d s o on t h ere afte r W ie c k in sis te d t h at a ll R obert’s le tte rs b e r e tu rn ed .
Sh e o bey ed .
In c o n tr a st t o t h e f e stiv it ie s o f t h e y ear b efo re , C la ra ’s s e v en te en th b ir th day , in 1836, p asse d u nder a c lo u d. I t w as t h e f ir st s u ch c ele b ra tio n in m an y y ears a t w hic h Sch um an n h ad n ot b een p re se n t. W hile a n tic ip atin g t h e n ex t b ig c o n cert t r ip t o Berli n a n d n orth ern G erm an y, p la n ned f o r t h e s p rin g o f 1 837, s h e t o u re d in t h e sm all n earb y t o w ns o f N au m bu rg , J e n a, a n d W eim ar. A t h om e s h e e n du re d t h e clo se s u perv is io n o f h er f a th er a n d s te p m oth er.
The t r ip n orth , a p re lu de t o e v en lo n ger in te rn atio n al t o u rs, b eg an o n F eb ru ary 7, 1 837, in B erli n , w here C la ra ’s m oth er, n ow M aria n ne B arg ie l, li v ed .
Im med ia te ly u po n h er a rriv al, W ie c k t o ok C la ra t o s e e h er. “ H ere , M ad am , I b rin g yo u y o u r d au gh te r,” h e a n nou nced .
37 T he f a c t t h at W ie c k h im se lf r e c o rd ed t h e word s in C la ra ’s d ia ry t e lls u s m uch a b o u t t h e m an : h e g lo rie d in h is p o w er a s h e perm it te d a r e u nio n b etw een m oth er a n d c h ild .
The t w o W ie c k s s a w C la ra ’s m oth er a n d h er a ili n g h usb an d s e v era l t im es.
Barg ie l, r e c o verin g f r o m a s tr o ke, is m en tio n ed b rie fly ; W ie c k ’s a n ger a n d co n te m pt w ere r e se rv ed f o r M aria n ne. S h e w as, h e r e c o rd ed in h is d au gh te r’s d ia ry , “fa r m ore r u de, m ean , d ec eit f u l, p etty , a n d p re su m ptu ou s t h an s h e h ad e v er b een .” Unfo rg iv ab ly , m ore o ver, s h e t r ie d t o “ m ed dle ” w it h t h e a rra n gem en ts f o r C la ra ’s co n certs .
38 In W ie c k ’s c o rre sp o n den ce t h ere is n o m en tio n o f C la ra ’s f e eli n gs o r r e ac tio n s to h er m oth er ( o r, in deed , a b o u t h er r e la tio n s w it h a n yo n e e ls e ). N ev erth ele ss, t h is 83 must h av e b een a t im e o f t h ou gh t a n d r e c o n sid era tio n f o r C la ra . T hou gh s h e h ad se en h er m oth er b rie fly f r o m t im e t o t im e o ver t h e y ears, s h e h ad a lw ay s b een re tu rn ed t o h er f a th er a n d h is in flu en ce. N ow , a lm ost a d u lt h erse lf a n d a t o dds wit h h er f a th er, s h e c o u ld b eg in t o u ndersta n d w hat h ad h ap pen ed in L eip zig in 1824 a n d w hy M aria n ne h ad b een f o rc ed t o a b an do n h er c h ild re n . T he B erli n v is it gav e h er a n o ppo rtu nit y t o r e d is c o ver h er m oth er, a s it w ere , a n d f r o m t h at t im e a gen uin e r e la tio n sh ip d ev elo ped b etw een t h e t w o w om en . W it h in a f e w y ears C la ra was a b le t o t u rn t o h er m oth er f o r lo ve a n d s u ppo rt.
Wie c k ’s le tte rs t o h is w if e , C le m en tin e, t e ll u s m uch a b o u t t h e v ic is sit u des o f to u rin g in t h e 1 830s, a g re at d eal a b o u t W ie c k , a n d v ery li t tle a b o u t C la ra .
39 H is co m pla in ts w ere m an y: t h e h ig h c o st o f f o od ( w hic h h e p artia lly c ir c u m ven te d b y se n din g N an ny, t h e m aid , o u t f o r d ry r o lls t h at t h ey c o u ld e at f o r b re ak fa st in t h eir hig h -p ric ed h ote l r o om ); t h e v ast n um bers o f f r e e t ic k ets t h at B erli n c o n -c ertg o ers ex p ec te d ; t h e p o or s e ats t h ey w ere g iv en f o r c o n certs ; t h e p ro ble m s w it h t h e cen so rs a n d t h e b u re au cra c y ; t h e s u rly B erli n s e rv in g c la sse s; t h e s u p po rtin g music ia n s w ho r e fu se d t o c o opera te o n h is t e rm s in C la ra ’s c o n certs ; a n d n ot le ast, th e h ig h c o st o f p o sta g e.
His e arth in ess a n d v u lg arit y m ak e t h em se lv es e v id en t in t h e le tte rs. C la ra w as ta k in g le sso n s f r o m S ie g fr ie d W ilh elm D eh n, a “ fo rm id ab le c o n tr a p u ntis t” — th e kin d o f “ fe llo w ” ( h e w ro te Kerl) f o r w hom h e h ad b een lo okin g a lo n g t im e. “ H e will b rin g h er t o t h e p o in t o f w rit in g c ir c le c an on s; in a w ord , a fte r t w elv e le sso n s, when s h e s p it s , s h e w ill s p it u p f u gu es.” H e d am ned t h e a ssis tin g a rtis ts , C arl M ose r (th e le ad in g c h am ber m usic ia n in B erli n ) a n d h is “ cu rse d ” q u arte t, f o r h av in g t h e te m erit y t o a sk f o r f if te en f r e e t ic k ets . H e w as p ro u d o f t h e w ay h e o u tm an eu vere d Mose r a n d w an te d a ll B erli n t o k n ow o f h is b eh av io r.
Most s tr ik in g in W ie c k ’s le tte rs is h is a ttit u de t o w ard C la ra : s h e is d is c u sse d a s th ou gh s h e w ere a n o bje c t o n d is p la y . H e w as c o n cern ed a b o u t h er h ealt h — bu t la rg ely b ec au se a c an cele d c o n cert w ou ld c au se g re at in co n ven ie n ce. T he m orn in g afte r h er la st B erli n c o n cert, a t r iu m ph p la y ed in a h all f ille d t o c ap ac it y , h e sa rc astic ally r e fe rre d t o “ th e q u een ,” s till s le ep in g a t 6 :3 0 a .m .
Wie c k t o ok g re at d eli g h t in r o u tin g h is f o es; t h e s tr u ggle w it h t h e “ en em y” ofte n s e em ed m ore im po rta n t t h an C la ra ’s p la y in g. H e w as, o f c o u rse , p ro u d o f h er artis tr y a n d h er t a le n t a t c o m po sit io n . H e in fo rm ed C le m en tin e t h at p u bli c atio n o f Cla ra ’s c o lle c te d w ork s w ou ld b e a n nou nced in t h e p ap ers; t h at t h re e p u bli s h ers had b id f o r h er V aria tio n s ( o p. 8 ) a n d C le m en tin e w as t o a sk F rie d ric h H ofm eis te r, th eir L eip zig p u bli s h er a n d c lo se f r ie n d, h ow m uch h e w ou ld g iv e f o r t h em ; Gasp aro S p o n tin i, t h e g ra n d m aste r o f m usic in B erli n , n ot o n ly w an te d C la ra t o pla y p riv ate ly f o r h im b u t c o n sid ere d t h e B elli n i V aria tio n s “ th e g ra n dest a n d m ost beau tif u l p ie c e o f b ra v u ra m usic in r e c en t t im es.” B ut a b o ve a ll, W ie c k f e lt 84 su ccessf u l b ec au se C la ra ’s t r iu m ph s h ad “ d estr o yed a ll t h e c ab als .” Again a n d a g ain w e r e ad o f “ vic to rie s” — vic to rie s o ver t h ose w ho p lo tte d ag ain st t h em , v ic to rie s o ver t h e je alo u s B erli n d o gs w ho w ou ld h av e d o n e t h em in , vic to rie s o ver t h e p o is o n ou s m usic c rit ic s w ho d o u bte d h is d au gh te r’s g en iu s. T he re p o rts o f p ra is e f o r C la ra a re la c ed w it h c o m men ts o n t h e e n em y. “ C la ra is t h e ta lk o f t h e t o w n a n d t h e o th er a rtis ts a re b u ttin g t h eir h ead s t o geth er in d esp air .” Afte r h er f ir st c o n cert, o n F eb ru ary 2 4, h e b o aste d , “ T riu m ph , t r iu m ph , C la ra cre ate d a f u ro re la st n ig h t. H er m aste rly p la y in g w as r e w ard ed b y a n h ou r a n d a half o f t h under a n d f o rm id ab le b ra v is sim os— all t h e c ab als h av e b een d estr o yed . . .
th e p u bli c h as d ec id ed — an d how t h ey h av e d ec id ed ! E ven P ag an in i d id n ot h av e su ch a c co la d es h ere .” All t h e c o n cert a rra n gem en ts w ere in W ie c k ’s h an ds: h e m ad e t h e r e q u ir e d ro u nds o f v is it s t o im pre ss im po rta n t p eo ple ; h e s e c u re d t h e p erm is sio n o f t h e po li c e; h e r e n te d t h e c o n cert h alls ; h e b o rro w ed o r r e n te d t h e p ia n os f o r p ra c tic e an d p erfo rm an ce; h e h ad p o ste rs a n d p ro gra m s p rin te d ; h e p re p are d p u bli c it y f o r th e n ew sp ap ers; h e p aid a v is it t o M en dels so h n’s m oth er. “ T he a m ou nt o f w ork is fr ig h tf u l, ” h e w ro te , b u t h e d id n ot f o rg et t o m en tio n t h e m an y co n ta c ts h e w as als o m ak in g f o r h is p ia n o b u sin ess. R ev ie w ers w ere c o m men tin g o n h is p ia n os alo n g w it h C la ra ’s p erfo rm an ces. “ B erli n w ill b e a g o ld m in e f o r u s— an d m y bu sin ess t o o,” h e w ro te .
They m oved o n t o H am bu rg , w here t h e “ glo rio u s C la ra ” w as e ag erly a w ait e d .
By t h e e n d o f t h e c o n cert t r ip , w hic h c lo se d in B re m en , b o th w ere e x h au ste d . T he weary t r a v ele rs r e tu rn ed h om e o n M ay 3 a n d w ere g re ete d b y s te p m oth er a n d C arl Ban ck a t t h e o u ts k ir ts o f L eip zig .
Ban ck ’s p ro xim it y t o C la ra a n d h er f a m ily p lu s t h e c o n tin ued s ile n ce o f t h e g ir l he lo ved d ro ve S ch um an n w ild . I n t h e a u tu m n o f 1 836 h e b eg an t o h av e s tr o n g do u bts . H e w ro te t o h is s is te r- in -la w , T here se , “ C . lo ves m e a s w arm ly a s e v er, b u t I a m c o m ple te ly r e sig n ed [ to g iv in g h er u p].” 40 D urin g 1 837 S ch um an n’s s p ir it s ro se a n d f e ll in a n a la rm in g w ay . H e w ro te t o C la ra in J a n uary 1 838:
The d ark est tim e, w hen I k n ew n oth in g o f y o u a n d tr ie d to f o rc e m yse lf to fo rg et y o u , w as a b o u t a y ear a g o . D id y o u n ot th in k o f m e th en ? O ur s p ir it s must h av e b een e str a n ged a t th at tim e. I h ad re sig n ed m yse lf . B ut th en th e old p ain b ro ke o u t a g ain — an d I w ru ng m y h an ds— an d th en I sa id to G od on m an y a n ig h t— ”L et b u t th is o n e th in g m erc if u lly p ass a w ay , w it h ou t m y go in g m ad .” ... I h urle d m yse lf to th e gro u nd an d crie d alo u d— th en I wis h ed to c u re m yse lf , to c o m pel m yse lf to fa ll in lo ve w it h a w om an w ho had a lr e ad y h alf d ra w n m e in to h er n et.
41 85 Sev era l w rit e rs h av e s p ec u la te d o n t h e id en tit y o f t h is w om an . A lt h ou gh music ia n s a re m en tio n ed ( th e B rit is h p ia n is t R oben a L aid la w , f o r e x am ple , w ho passe d t h ro u gh L eip zig a b o u t t h is t im e), h e m ay h av e b een r e fe rrin g t o t h e C hris te l (o r C harit a s) w hose a lm ost d aily v is it s t o h is r o om w ere n ote d in h is d ia ry . R obert certa in ly n ev er e n te rta in ed a n y id ea o f m arria g e t o h er, b u t s h e m ust h av e p ro vid ed th e f e m ale c o m fo rt a n d s e x u al g ra tif ic atio n h e c ra v ed , p artic u la rly a t t h is t im e, when h e w as e str a n ged f r o m t h e w om an h e lo ved .
Ban ck ’s p re se n ce in t h e W ie c k h om e a n d W ie c k ’s p ersis te n t c rit ic is m o f R obert alm ost s u cceed ed in a li e n atin g t h e lo vers. T he p o sse ssiv e f a th er, h ow ev er, b ec am e ch ara c te ris tic ally a g it a te d a t B an ck ’s f r ie n dly r e la tio n sh ip w it h C la ra , a n d, a c tin g an grily a n d im pu ls iv ely , h e b an is h ed t h e y o u ng m an f r o m t h e h ou se . S o on afte rw ard B an ck le ft L eip zig . R obert’s d ia ry n ote s, “ B an ck ’s d ep artu re f r o m h ere — hap pie r m ood.” 42 W it h in a f e w m on th s t h e r e la tio n sh ip b etw een C la ra a n d R obert was s e c re tly r e su m ed , t h is t im e o n C la ra ’s in it ia tiv e.
While s p en din g t h e s u m mer o f 1 837 a t t h e h om e o f f r ie n ds n ear D re sd en , C la ra was in fo rm ed b y h er f a th er t h at h e h ad a rra n ged a c o n cert f o r h er o n A ugu st 1 3 in Leip zig . A f e w d ay s la te r a c o n versa tio n w it h E rn estin e v o n F ric k en , w ho w as vis it in g in t h e a re a, e v id en tly s tille d h er d o u bts c o n cern in g S ch um an n’s p re v io u s re la tio n sh ip . C la ra a g re ed t o t h e c o n cert b u t in sis te d o n in clu din g t h re e o f Sch um an n’s S ym ph on ic E tu des in t h e p ro gra m .
8 S h e t h en plu ck ed u p t h e c o u ra g e to a sk E m st A do lp h B ec k er, a m utu al f r ie n d a n d a g re at a d m ir e r o f S ch um an n’s music , t o c o n vey a m essa g e t o R obert, t h us b re ak in g t h e e n fo rc ed s ile n ce o f eig h te en m on th s. A s w if t a n d p assio n ate e x ch an ge o f le tte rs t h ro u gh B ec k er fo llo w ed . O n A ugu st 1 3, t h e d ay o f t h e c o n cert, R obert w ro te :
Are y o u s till fi r m a n d tr u e? A s in destr u ctib le a s m y b eli e f in y o u 9 is , y et e v en th e s tr o n gest s p ir it lo se s c o n fid en ce w hen n oth in g is h eard o f th e o n e w ho is lo ved m ore th an a n yo n e e ls e in th e w orld . A nd y o u a re th at to m e. I h av e th ou gh t it a ll o ver a th ou sa n d tim es, a n d e v ery th in g sa y s to u s, “ It m ust b e, if w e w is h it a n d if w e a c t.” W rit e m e ju st a sim ple “ yes” if y o u w ill g iv e yo u r f a th er a le tte r f r o m m e o n y o u r b ir th day [ S ep te m ber 1 3]. J u st n ow h e is well d is p o se d to w ard m e an d w ill n ot re je c t m e if y o u ad d y o u r p le as to min e.
43 Her a n sw er, s im ple , b eau tif u l, a n d p o sit iv e, s e ale d t h e b o n d w it h R obert. F or th e r e m ain der o f t h eir li v es, t h ey c o n sid ere d t h e f o llo w in g d ay , A ugu st 1 4, t h e d ay of t h eir b etr o th al. I n h is d ia ry R obert w ro te , “ A u nio n f o r e te rn it y .” 44 Cla ra W ie c k h ad d ec la re d h er in te n tio n t o m ove a w ay f r o m h er f a th er a n d t o 86 th e m an s h e n ow h oped t o m arry . B ut a lo n g s tr u ggle w it h h erse lf a n d w it h h er fa th er la y a h ead .
The f a m ou s c o u rts h ip b eg an w it h s u rre p tit io u s m eetin gs a n d s e c re t le tte rs. T heir hopes w ere p in ned o n t h e f o rm al p ro po sa l, w rit te n w it h E rn st A do lp h B ec k er’s help a n d a d vic e, w hic h w as t o b e p re se n te d t o W ie c k o n C la ra ’s e ig h te en th bir th day . W it h t h e le tte r R obert r e q u este d a n in te rv ie w a n d e n clo se d n ote s t o F ra u Wie c k a n d t o C la ra . T he in te rv ie w w as g ra n te d b u t C la ra w as n ev er g iv en t h e note . I n a t o u ch in g le tte r R obert f o rm ally a sk ed f o r C la ra ’s h an d a n d im plo re d Wie c k , “ w it h t h e u tm ost s e rio u sn ess o f w hic h a n a n xio u s, lo vin g h eart is c ap ab le :
ble ss u s, b e o n ce m ore a f r ie n d t o o n e o f y o u r o ld est f r ie n ds, a n d t h e b est f a th er t o th e b est c h ild !” 45 Robert’s s e lf - c o n fid en ce h ad b een r e sto re d b y C la ra ’s y es a n d h e w as b u oyed b y th e a d m ir a tio n a n d lo ve o f h is m an y f r ie n ds. T o R obert’s a n xio u s q u erie s, B ec k er re p li e d :
I d o n ot k n ow to w hom I w ou ld r a th er h av e m y d au gh te r b etr o th ed th an a man w hose h eart is as tr u e as yo u rs, an d w ho can w rit e su ch etu des. I re c eiv ed th em [th e Sym ph on ic E tu des] yeste rd ay . . . . O ne can not fin d an yth in g m ore b eau tif u l; I h av e re v ele d in th em , u ndis tu rb ed , a ll d ay . . . .
For m aje sty a n d g ra n deu r o f th ou gh t, I k n ow o f n o li v in g p erso n w ho c an sta n d a t y o u r s id e.
46 Desp it e B ec k er’s c o n fid en ce, it w as a n oth er t e ar- so ak ed b ir th day f o r C la ra , a n d Robert’s in te rv ie w w it h W ie c k w as a b it te r a n d h um ili a tin g e x p erie n ce.
“T his co ld n ess, t h is ill w ill, t h is c o n fu sio n , t h ese c o n tr a d ic tio n s— he h as a n ew w ay t o destr o y, h e t h ru sts b la d e a n d h ilt in to m y h eart,” h e w ro te t o C la ra .
47 Robert b eli e v ed t h at W ie c k ’s in te re st in m on ey w as a t t h e r o ot o f h is oppo sit io n . K now in g w hat w e d o a b o u t W ie c k , w e c an h ard ly d o u bt t h at h e re g ard ed C la ra a s a f in an cia l a sse t, b u t in a ll f a ir n ess w e m ust a c k n ow le d ge t h at oth er f a c to rs, m an y o f t h em le g it im ate d o u bts t h at a n y r e sp o n sib le f a th er m ig h t hav e, a ls o f ig u re d in W ie c k ’s r e sis ta n ce t o t h e m atc h . G ra d u ally S ch um an n perc eiv ed t h at a g re at b attle w as b eg in nin g. “ E ven tu ally h e m ust a c cep t t h e id ea o f lo sin g y o u . H is o bstin ac y w ill s h atte r it s e lf a g ain st o u r lo ve. . . . C on vin ce y o u r fa th er t h at h is v ie w s a re d is to rte d .” 48 Wie c k c o u ld h av e c h ose n s e v era l c o u rse s o f a c tio n , b u t, o ddly e n ou gh , h e beg an , a n d c o n tin ued , a w eak , o fte n ir ra tio n al o ffe n se . H is b eh av io r r e p elle d m an y of t h eir m utu al f r ie n ds, a ll o f w hom s id ed w it h t h e y o u ng lo vers. H is o n ly a lly w as his w if e . T hou gh n ot a m an o f f in an cia l s u bsta n ce, S ch um an n h ad in herit e d a 87 modera te le g ac y , h ad a g ro w in g r e p u ta tio n a s a c o m po se r, w as o w ner a n d e d it o r o f a s u ccessf u l m usic jo u rn al, a n d w as a m an o f in te lle c t a n d u nden ia b le g en iu s, re sp ec te d a n d lo ved b y m an y. W ie c k k n ew a ll t h is a n d, m ore t h an m an y o th er music ia n o f h is g en era tio n , u ndersto od a n d v alu ed R obert’s g if ts a n d a d ven tu ro u s music al s p ir it . B ut h e d o u btle ss r e c alle d t h e r e v eali n g le tte r f r o m R obert Sch um an n’s m oth er a n d k n ew t h e u ndis c ip li n ed a n d s o m etim es e rra tic e arly y o u th , th e d rin kin g a n d e x tr a v ag an ce w it h m on ey ; h e m ust h av e h ad a n in kli n g o f Robert’s e x p erie n ce w it h w om en — Leip zig w as a s m all t o w n— an d h e w as a w are o f th e c y cli c d ep re ssio n s a n d f a m ily h is to ry .
10 Y et in t h e b attle o ver C la ra , h e c h ose to c o n cen tr a te o n in sig n if ic an t d eta ils ( p o or h an dw rit in g, in au dib le v o ic e, s o cia l mala d ro it n ess) a n d a c cu sa tio n s a b o u t d rin kin g t o e x cess— a c h arg e t h at m ay h av e been t r u e in S ch um an n’s e arli e r y ears b u t c o u ld n o lo n ger b e s u bsta n tia te d . W ie c k in sis te d t h at R obert d id n ot h av e t h e m on ey t o s u ppo rt C la ra in t h e s ty le t o w hic h sh e w as a c cu sto m ed a n d t h at m arria g e w ou ld m ean t h e e n d o f h er g lo rio u s c are er.
The s e c o n d a rg u m en t s h ook C la ra a n d c re ate d d o u bts t h at w ere t o s u rfa c e o ver t h e nex t t w o y ears. F or t h e t im e b ein g, h ow ev er, s h e w as in lo ve a n d r e m ain ed unco n vin ced b y h er f a th er’s a rg u m en ts .
The le tte rs e x ch an ged b etw een t h e lo vers in t h e n ex t f e w w eek s a re b eau tif u l.
Cla ra ’s le tte rs, s o p ro sa ic in h er la te r y ears, a re h ere f ille d w it h p o etr y a n d w arm th , te n dern ess a n d b eau ty . R obert’s le tte rs, a lw ay s a jo y t o r e ad , r is e t o n ew h eig h ts a s th e t w o p le d ge t h em se lv es t o e ac h o th er, e v en a s W ie c k is le ad in g C la ra o ff t o Vie n na a n d n ew t r iu m ph s o n t h e c o n cert s ta g e.
1 An o ld er s is te r, E m ili e , b o rn in 1 796, h ad d ie d in 1 825 o f a “ n erv o u s s tr o ke,” a c co rd in g t o th e d eath c ertif ic ate in t h e f a m ily p ap ers in R SH . I t w as k n ow n, h ow ev er, t h at s h e w as m en ta lly ill a n d h ad a c tu ally c o m mit te d s u ic id e.
2 Eugen ie S ch um an n q u ote s f r o m a le tte r o f R obert: “ T he f ir st t h in g I w ill lo ok f o r in Heid elb erg is a g ir l” (R ob ert S ch u m an n: E in L eb en sb ild , 9 1).
3 May b e t r a n sla te d a s “ D av id it e s.” T he t e rm w as c h ose n in c ele b ra tio n o f t h e b ib li c al h ero .
In clu ded a s m em bers o f t h e David sb u nd w ere f r ie n ds, c o lle ag u es, a n d s e v era l m yth ic al f ig u re s: F lo - re sta n , E use b iu s, a n d M aste r R aro ( c h ara c te rs w ho h ad a p peare d in 1 831 in h is e ssa y o n C hopin ), who r e p re se n te d v ario u s a sp ec ts o f S ch um an n h im se lf . F lo re sta n w as b o ld a n d im petu ou s, Euse b iu s d re am y a n d g en tle , a n d M aste r R aro m atu re a n d r e fle c tiv e. T he la tte r n am e, w hic h m ay hav e b een a s y n th esis o f C la ra a n d R obert, a ls o r e p re se n te d t h eir t e ac h er, W ie c k . M an y o th er David sb u ndle r a p peare d u nder v ario u s p se u do n ym s in t h e e ssa y s a n d r e v ie w s S ch um an n w ro te .
Cla ra , f o r e x am ple , w as k n ow n a s Z ili a , C hia ra , o r C hia rin a; F . M erit is s to od f o r F eli x Men dels so h n; a n d J e an qu ir it w as S te p h en H elle r, t h e c o m po se r a n d t h e P aris c o rre sp o n den t f o r Sch um an n’s jo u rn al.
4 Em ili e L is t, o n e y ear o ld er t h an C la ra , w as o n e o f t h e d au gh te rs o f F rie d ric h L is t, a G erm an po li t ic al e c o n om is t. F orc ed t o le av e G erm an y f o r p o li t ic al r e aso n s, h e h ad t a k en h is f a m ily w it h him t o t h e U nit e d S ta te s, a c q u ir e d U .S . c it iz e n sh ip , a n d r e tu rn ed t o L eip zig in 1 833 a s t h e U .S .
88 co n su l. S ee W en dle r.
5 Both g ir ls c ele b ra te d b ir th day s in S ep te m ber. E rn estin e w ou ld b e e ig h te en t h at y ear a n d C la ra on ly f if te en , b u t C la ra ’s e x p erie n ces a s a t o u rin g a rtis t m ad e h er m atu re f o r h er a g e.
6 Sch um an n h ad u se d a m otif f r o m h er w ork in h is o p. 5 . H er o p. 3 is d is c u sse d in C hap te r 1 1.
7 Note t h at C la ra ’s g u est li s t, p re su m ab ly d ra w n u p b y h er f a th er, w as a ll m ale . G uests a t h er fo u rte en th a n d f if te en th b ir th day c ele b ra tio n s w ere a ls o c h ie fly m en , f r ie n ds o f h er f a th er’s . E ven Cla ra ’s b ir th day p artie s w ere n ot h er o w n.
8 In t h e f ir st ( 1 902) e d it io n , L it z m an n m is ta k en ly n am es t h e S o n ata n o. 1 in F -sh arp M in or.
9 The t w o w ere s till a d dre ssin g e ac h o th er a s S ie . I t w as n ot u ntil O cto ber t h at t h e in tim ate du was u se d b y b o th R obert a n d C la ra .
10 In “ S ch um an n’s H an d I n ju ry ,” MT , 1 12 ( 1 971), 1 156– 59, E ric S am s s p ec u la te s t h at W ie c k was a w are t h at S ch um an n h ad s o u gh t t r e atm en t f o r s y p h ili s a n d t h at t h is w as t h e m ajo r ( a n d unnam ed ) r e aso n h e o bje c te d t o t h eir m arria g e. I n v ie w o f W ie c k ’s c h ara c te r a n d t h e s te p s h e to ok t o p re v en t t h e m arria g e, h ow ev er, it h ard ly s e em s p o ssib le t h at h e w ou ld h av e f a ile d t o men tio n t h e d is e ase if h e h ad h ad e v en a f a in t s u sp ic io n t h at S ch um an n h ad it .
89 CH APT ER 4 90 The B re a k w it h W ie ck A fte r th e tr a v ails o f th e tr ip s to P aris , D re sd en , a n d B erli n , th e su ccess in V ie n na w as sw eet in deed . L it tle w as h eard f r o m W ie c k a b o u t p lo ts a n d c ab als , a n d th ou gh h e is su ed o ccasio n al c u rse s a t c o n dit io n s a n d fo es in th e A ustr ia n c ap it a l, h is le tte rs r e fle c te d le ss a n ger a n d h ostili t y th an d id th ose fr o m B erli n . V ie n nese c h arm h ad s o fte n ed th e o ld m an — bu t n ot to th e p o in t o f c h an gin g h is m in d a b o u t R obert.
H e h ad g iv en p erm is sio n f o r th em to c o rre sp o n d w hile C la ra w as o n to u r, b u t sh e w as so fe arfu l th at h er fa th er w ou ld re ad h er co rre sp o n den ce th at sh e se c re tly s c rib ble d a f e w w ord s a t a tim e to h er lo ver w hile s ta n din g a t h er b u re au a fte r lo n g d ay s o f w eary in g p erfo rm an ces.
The e ig h te en -y ear- o ld y o u ng w om an h ad f ir m ly d ec la re d h er lo ve f o r R obert b u t w as s till d ep en den t o n h er f a th er, e m otio n ally , f in an cia lly , a n d a b o ve a ll a rtis tic ally . T he e ffo rt t o b re ak w it h h er f a th er e n gen dere d e x tr e m e a n gu is h . T he s it u atio n w as a s m on um en ta lly d if fic u lt f o r h er a s a n y o f t h e la te r c ris e s o f h er t r a g ed y-fille d li f e , a n d in f a c t m ay h av e s e rv ed t o a rm or h er a g ain st t h e im pac t o f t h e d ev asta tin g e v en ts t o c o m e. F or C la ra , t h e c o n fli c t b etw een f a th er a n d lo ver c o n tin ued t o t h e e v e o f h er m arria g e, a n d e v en b ey o n d.
Frie d ric h W ie c k , t h e p are n t o f t h is v ir tu ally m oth erle ss g ir l, w as a ls o t h e d ev elo per o f h er a rt a n d p ro vid er o f t h e s e lf - e ste em t h at n ou ris h es t h e a rtis t. F ro m t h e b eg in nin g, a t a t im e w hen m id dle -c la ss g ir ls w ere e x p ec te d t o le arn t o t ic k le t h e p ia n o k ey s p re ttily e n ou gh t o a m use a h usb an d b u t n ot t o a ttr a c t p u bli c a tte n tio n , W ie c k e n vis io n ed C la ra a s a m usic ia n — a g re at p erfo rm er— an d in sis te d t h at s h e c o u ld d o a n yth in g a b o y c o u ld d o ( a n d c erta in ly d o it b ette r t h an h is s o n s). H e q u ote d w it h p rid e G oeth e’s r e m ark , “ S h e p la y s w it h a s m uch s tr e n gth a s s ix b o ys.” 1 Yet d u rin g t h e t r ip t o V ie n na w hic h b eg an in O cto ber 1 837, a p sy ch olo gic al s e p ara tio n f r o m h er f a th er b eg an t o s e em p o ssib le . R obert w as m ore in sis te n t; s h e h ad g iv en h im h er w ord a n d h er r in g; t h e V ie n na p re ss a n d p u bli c a c co rd ed h er m ore r e c o gn it io n t h an s h e h ad e v er r e c eiv ed b efo re ; a n d t h ou gh W ie c k ’s le tte rs s till r e fe r t o “ o u r c o n certs ” a n d “ o u r f e eli n gs,” C la ra w as g ain in g an in dep en den t i d en tit y . I f a q u estio n r e m ain ed in h er m in d a b o u t h er f u tu re w it h R obert, s h e d id 91 not a llo w it t o s u lly t h e t r iu m ph al d ay s in V ie n na d u rin g t h e w in te r o f 1 837– 38.
Wie c k v ie w ed t h e t r ip t o V ie n na a s h is g re ate st a rtis tic a n d f in an cia l t r iu m ph .
Cla ra ’s s u ccess e x ceed ed a n yth in g h e h ad e v er d re am ed o f. S h e w as s o im men se ly po pu la r t h at W ie c k w orrie d t h ro u gh s le ep le ss n ig h ts w heth er s h e c o u ld m ain ta in her p o sit io n a n d k eep V ie n na’s h yste ria a t t h e h ig h p it c h h er a rtis tr y h ad in sp ir e d .
“A ll V ie n na is s a y in g t h at n o a rtis t h as e v er m ad e a s e n sa tio n li k e t h is ,” h e w ro te t o his w if e .
2 H e m arv ele d a t t h e w ay t h e m on ey r o lle d in . T he V ie n nese w ere sto rm in g t h e b o x o ffic e a n d p o li c e h ad t o b e c alle d in t o r e sto re o rd er. N ew sp ap ers re p o rte d a n ew c o n fe c tio n , “ to rte a la W ie c k .” I n a le tte r t o R obert o n J a n uary 3 0 Cla ra d esc rib ed it : “ Ju st im ag in e. T hey a re s e rv in g ‘t o rte a la W ie c k ’ in t h e re sta u ra n ts , a n d a ll m y e n th usia sts g o a n d e at t h e c ak e. I t w as r e c en tly a d vertis e d in th e Thea te rz eit u ng w it h t h e c o m men t t h at it w as a n e th ere al, li g h t d esse rt t h at p la y ed it s e lf in to t h e m ou th o f t h e e ate r. I sn ’t t h at a la u gh ?” 3 In h is u su al f a sh io n , W ie c k g lo rie d o ver t h e b lo w s d ealt t o S ig is m und T hal- berg , t h e f a m ed v ir tu oso , a n d o th er r iv als . T he t r iu m ph an t C la ra , h e r e p o rte d , aro u se d k een je alo u sy a m on g o th er a rtis ts , w ho w ere lo sin g t h eir a u die n ces t o h er, an d a m on g t e ac h ers, w ho w ere e x p lo din g w it h a n ger a t h er ( h is ? ) t r iu m ph s. “ W e hav e b een v eg eta tin g in L eip zig ,” h e w ro te t o h is w if e in t h e le tte r in w hic h h e en clo se d t h e G rillp arz e r p o em “ C la ra W ie c k u nd B eeth oven .” 1 “N ow c o m es t h e re w ard — now t h e w hole w orld s h all k n ow t h ere is o n ly o n e C la ra , a C la ra a t whose f e et a ll V ie n na li e s.” The h on ors f lo w ed s o c o pio u sly t h at t h e r e ad er ( a n d W ie c k h im se lf ) c an b are ly keep u p. H e c o u ld n ’t t h in k o f le av in g; “ V ie n na w ou ld w eep .” T he p ro sp ec t o f years o f g li t te rin g s u ccess w as e x cit in g, b u t w e s e n se t h at W ie c k w as b eg in nin g t o fe el s o m e s tr a in . W hile w ait in g t o h ear w heth er o r n ot C la ra w ou ld r e c eiv e t h e em pero r’s a w ard , h e w ro te , in a n u nex p ec te d ly p essim is tic m ood, t h at it w ou ld n ’t help C la ra in a n y c ase , b ec au se t h is w as t h e la st t r ip h e w ou ld m ak e. H is h ealt h w as affe c te d b y t h e r ig o rs o f c o n cert li f e : t h e o bli g atio n h e f e lt t o s ta y in o n e p la c e a s lo n g a s m on ey c o u ld b e m ad e, C la ra ’s c o n tr a rin ess a n d o bstin ac y , t h e e n dle ss bu rd en s a n d c o n sta n t a n xie tie s o f c o n certiz in g— he c o u ld n ot t a k e it m uch lo n ger.
Once C la ra r e c eiv ed t h e im peria l h on or, h ow ev er, W ie c k c rie d f o r jo y a n d haile d it a s a v in dic atio n o f a ll h e h ad s u ffe re d :
What a le tte r of re c o m men datio n th is is ! W hat a le sso n to th e en vio u s pia n is ts w ho h av e m ad e a p u bli c sp ec ta c le o f all m y asp ir a tio n s. W e h av e bo rn e it h um bly a n d c o n tin ued to str iv e— here is th e r e w ard . . . . H av en ’t I alw ay s, a n d r ig h tly , so oth ed C la ra b y sa y in g, “ H av e p atie n ce” ? N ow sh e h as th e h ig h est tit le ; it is th e g re ate st g u ara n te e o f sa fe -c o n du ct in a ll o f E uro pe.
92 Now sh e u ndersta n ds th e k in d o f ste ad fa st re so lu tio n th at is re sp o n sib le fo r th is . W ou ld w e b e in V ie n na if I h ad n ot b attle d t h e b o ors?
Cla ra w as h on ore d b y m usic ia n s a s w ell a s b y r o yalt y : s h e r e c eiv ed a n a u to gra p h of S ch ubert’s “ E rlk o n ig ” f r o m a f r ie n d o f t h e c o m po se r; e d it io n s w ere d ed ic ate d t o her.
4 P ubli s h ers f o u gh t f o r t h e p riv ile g e o f p u bli s h in g h er w ork s, a n d s h e w as nam ed a n h on ora ry m em ber o f t h e p re stig io u s G ese lls c h aft d er M usik fr e u nde.
5 The V ie n nese r e c ep tio n w as im men se ly g ra tif y in g t o W ie c k , a n d p o ssib ly a s a re su lt , h is le tte rs e x p re sse d m ore c o n cern a b o u t h is f a m ily ; h e t e ase d C le m en tin e, he s e n t k is se s t o h is c h ild re n . F eeli n g m ore s e c u re a n d e x p an siv e, h e d ir e c te d Cle m en tin e t o g et b ig ger a n d b ette r lo dgin gs f o r t h e f a m ily . C la ra , o f c o u rse , w as to h av e a r o om o f h er o w n in t h e n ew a p artm en t; h is c h ild re n w ere t o h av e r u gs on t h e f lo or s o t h ey w ou ld n ’t b e c o ld . B ut h e s p o ke o n ly o f t h e t w o li t tle g ir ls — th e c h ild re n o f h is s e c o n d m arria g e. A lw in a n d G usta v h ad n ot t u rn ed o u t w ell, h e sa id , a n d w ou ld h av e t o le av e. H is a ttit u de t o w ard t h e b o ys w as u neq u iv o cal; h e wou ld n ot s u ppo rt t h em a n y lo n ger. G usta v , ju st t u rn ed f if te en , w as t o b e ap pre n tic ed t o a p ia n o m ak er. A nd if A lw in d id n ot im pro ve, W ie c k w ro te , h e wou ld b e s e n t t o a n in str u m en t m ak er in P re ssb u rg . H e w arn ed t h at if e it h er t r ie d an y “ d u m b t r ic k s,” t h ey w ou ld g o s tr a ig h t t o p ris o n ( d esp it e t h e f a c t t h at t h eir sis te r w as a R oyal a n d I m peria l C ham ber V ir tu osa ).
The c rim es o f t h ese d re ad fu l y o u ngste rs w ere n ev er s p elle d o u t, b u t it is o bvio u s th at, u nli k e C la ra , w ho w as e arn in g “ u nheard -o f’ s u m s, t h ey r e m ain ed f in an cia l bu rd en s. C le m en tin e r e c eiv ed h er o rd ers: “ H is [ A lw in ’s ] f a te is ir re v ersib le — he must g o — ta k e t h e f ir st o ppo rtu nit y [ to s h ip h im o ff] d u rin g t h e f ir st w eek o f t h e fa ir . H e w ill n ev er s e e h is f a m ily h om e u ntil h e b ec o m es a u se fu l p erso n .” A s f o r Gusta v , C le m en tin e w as o rd ere d t o f in d a n o ld s u it c ase f o r t h e b o y s o t h at h e co u ld s e t o u t o n h is jo u rn ey s; “ th eir f a th er’s h om e n o lo n ger e x is ts f o r t h ese b ad bo ys.” 2 Wie c k ’s t h ou gh ts a ls o w en t o u t t o R obert, w hose t a le n ts a s e d it o r, p u bli s h er, an d c o m po se r h e e n li s te d in C la ra ’s in te re sts . S in ce it w as n ec essa ry t o k eep in to u ch w it h L eip zig m usic al li f e , h e r e q u este d e v ery w ord p rin te d in S ch um an n’s Zeit s ch rift . C le m en tin e w as t o a sk S ch um an n t o r e p rin t t h e V ie n na r e v ie w s, t o pu bli s h t h e G rillp arz e r p o em , t o p rin t u p c o pie s o f r e v ie w s a n d t h e p o em a n d s e n d th em a ll t o W ie c k f o r t h e V ie n nese p re ss. N ear t h e e n d o f t h e t r ip it o ccu rre d t o him t h at a s k etc h o f C la ra ’s li f e w ou ld a ls o m ak e g o od c o py f o r t h e lo cal p ap ers.
He d ir e c te d ( th ro u gh h is w if e ) t h at R obert w rit e s u ch a s k etc h a n d s e n d f if ty c o pie s fo r d is tr ib u tio n o n c o n cert t r ip s. A t t h e s a m e t im e, h e e x p re sse d r e se n tm en t b ec au se Sch um an n h ad n ot t h ou gh t t o d o s o h im se lf .
93 It s e em ed t o W ie c k t h at S ch um an n w as n ot w rit in g e n ou gh a b o u t C la ra w hile sh e w as b u sy p la y in g R obert’s w ork s a n d b u ild in g h is r e p u ta tio n . “ H is Carn aval w as perfo rm ed b y u s f o r t h e g re at c o n nois se u rs a n d c re ate d a g re at f u ro r; s in ce t h ere is so m uch s p eak in g, g o ssip , e x p la in in g, r u nnin g, v is it in g, e tc .
here , h is n am e a s a co m po se r w ill q u ic k ly b ec o m e k n ow n. C la ra a ls o p la y ed t h e s o n ata [ F -sh arp min or] b u t it w as n ot s o w ell u ndersto od.” Thou gh W ie c k w as c le arly p le ase d w it h C la ra o n t h is t r ip , h e m ad e n o m en tio n of h er f e eli n gs o r r e ac tio n s. A ppare n tly s h e e x is te d f o r W ie c k ’s p u rp o se s, a n d a s f a r as h e w as c o n cern ed , t h e t r iu m ph s w ere h is .
Mean w hile , C la ra a n d R obert, c o n sid erin g t h em se lv es e n gag ed , c arrie d o n t h eir cla n destin e c o rre sp o n den ce. E la b o ra te p la n s w ere m ad e s o t h at s h e c o u ld r e c eiv e h is le tte rs. T o a lla y W ie c k ’s s u sp ic io n s, R obert w as t o a d dre ss h is le tte rs t o f ic tit io u s ch ara c te rs— now “ B C DE,” n ow “ H err K ra u s” — in c are o f f r ie n ds w ho w ere t o se n d t h em o n in f r e sh e n velo pes a d dre sse d t o h er, s in ce W ie c k k n ew h is han dw rit in g. N an ny, C la ra ’s m aid , w as a f ir m a lly , a n d p ic k ed u p t h e le tte rs f o r h er at t h e p o st o ffic e. R obert d id n ot u ndersta n d w hy s h e d id n ot w rit e m ore fr e q u en tly , a n d s h e e x p la in ed t h at t h e o n ly t im e s h e h ad t o w rit e w as in t h e ev en in gs w hen s h e w as h alf d ead w it h f a tig u e. W ie c k w ou ld f ly in to a r a g e if h e fo u nd h er d o or lo ck ed .
There w as m uch d is c u ssio n o f t h eir f u tu re . R obert w as d re am in g, a n d C la ra , t h e pra c tic al, e x p erie n ced p erfo rm er, s h arp ly b ro u gh t h im b ac k t o e arth , a s s h e w as t o do o fte n :
I h ad to la u gh a t th e p la c e in y o u r le tte r w here y o u w rit e , “ an d so w e w ill re tu rn to o u r li t tle h ou se , la d en w it h tr e asu re .” O h, m y G od, w hat a re y o u th in kin g o f? T re asu re s c an not b e a c q u ir e d b y in str u m en ta l a rt an y m ore . H ow much o n e h as t o d o in o rd er t o le av e a t o w n w it h a f e w t a le r! W hile y o u a re sit tin g a t P oppe’s [ a L eip zig c o ffe eh ou se ] a t 1 0 o ’c lo ck in t h e e v en in g, o r a re go in g h om e, I , p o or th in g, a m ju st a rriv in g a t a p arty , w here I h av e to p la y to p eo ple f o r a f e w p re tty w ord s a n d a c u p o f w arm w ate r, a n d a rriv e h om e, dead tir e d , a t 1 1 o r 1 2 o ’c lo ck , h av e a sip o f w ate r, li e d o w n a n d th in k, “ Is an a rtis t m uch m ore t h an a b eg gar? ” “Y et,” sh e w en t o n , in a n im pre ssiv e sta te m en t o f f a it h f r o m su ch a y o u ng a rtis t— a s ta te m en t t h at w as t o f o rm t h e m otto o f h er li f e — art is a b eau tif u l g if t. W hat is m ore b eau tif u l th an to c lo th e o n e’s f e eli n gs in so u nds, w hat a co m fo rt in sa d h ou rs, w hat a p le asu re , w hat a w on derfu l 94 fe eli n g, to p ro vid e an h ou r o f h ap pin ess to o th ers. A nd w hat a su bli m e fe eli n g t o p u rsu e a rt s o t h at o n e g iv es o n e’s li f e f o r it .
6 The c o vert c o rre sp o n den ce w as n ot e n tir e ly f r e e o f t h e c o n fli c ts t h at w ere ag it a tin g t h e g ir l. C la ra ’s in dec is io n t o rm en te d S ch um an n a n d u ndo u bte d ly co n tr ib u te d t o h is in se c u rit ie s. A t o n e p o in t s h e w ro te t o R obert t h at s h e c o u ld sy m path iz e w it h h er f a th er: “ I a m t e rrib ly u pse t w hen I s e e h ow m is e ra b le F ath er is when h e t h in ks o f lo sin g m e s o m ed ay — I k n ow m y d u ty t o w ard h im a n d y et I lo ve yo u e n dle ssly .” D urin g a ll t h is t im e s h e w as s u bje c te d t o h er f a th er’s c o n tin ual th re ats o f d is in herit a n ce if s h e m arrie d S ch um an n a n d b eg an t o r e ac t to t h em : “ I no lo n ger a m s o f o n d o f m y f a th er, a h G od, I c an not b e a s w hole h earte d ly lo vin g as I s h ou ld li k e t o b e— it is m y f a th er, a fte r a ll, t h at I h av e t o t h an k f o r ev ery th in g.” 7 Man y o f h er le tte rs r e fle c te d h er f a th er’s in flu en ce. T he t o n e o f t h is le tte r, f o r ex am ple , is s tr a n gely li k e W ie c k ’s :
I h av e a ls o c o n sid ere d th e f u tu re very s e rio u sly a n d I m ust te ll y o u o n e th in g:
I c an not b e y o u rs b efo re c ir c u m sta n ces h av e e n tir e ly alt e re d . I d o n ’t w an t horse s, I d o n ’t w an t d ia m on ds, I a m h ap py to b e y o u rs, b u t I w an t to le ad a li f e fr e e o f w orry an d I can se e th at I w ou ld b e u nhap py if I co u ld n ot alw ay s b e w ork in g w it h m y a rt. ... I n eed m uch , a n d I re ali z e th at m uch is need ed fo r a re sp ec ta b le li f e . R obert, te st y o u rse lf . A re y o u in a p o sit io n to offe r m e a li f e f r e e f r o m c are ? C on sid er th at th ou gh I h av e b een b ro u gh t u p sim ply , I h av e n ev er h ad a c are . M ust I b u ry m y a rt n ow ? L ove is a ll v ery beau tif u l, b u t, b u t— 8 Robert w as b esid e h im se lf , b u t h e m an ag ed t o p o in t o u t w it h d ig n it y t h at s h e sh ou ld h av e b ro u gh t u p t h ese o bje c tio n s b efo re h e a sk ed h er f a th er f o r h er h an d.
Thou gh h e r e c o gn iz e d h er f a th er’s p re ssu re in h er le tte r, h e w as h urt:
And n ow , sin ce y o u v alu e m y r in g so li t tle , I c are n o lo n ger f o r y o u rs, sin ce yeste rd ay , an d w ear it n o lo n ger. I d re am ed th at I w as w alk in g b y d eep wate r— an d a n im pu ls e se iz e d m e a n d I th re w th e rin g in to th e w ate r— an d th en I w as f ille d w it h a p assio n ate lo n gin g t o p lu nge in a fte r it .
9 His d ark w ord s w ere a f o re b o din g o f t h e f u tu re : ju st b efo re S ch um an n atte m pte d s u ic id e b y le ap in g in to t h e R hin e in 1 854, h e r e m oved h is w ed din g r in g an d t h re w it in to t h e w ate r. B ut in 1 838 h e w as a b le t o r e c o ver f r o m t h e b lo w a n d 95 gath ere d t h e s tr e n gth t o a d vis e a n d c o m fo rt h er. H e w as a w are o f t h e d aily n ag gin g an d v erb al a ssa u lt s t o w hic h s h e w as e x p o se d . B ut W ie c k , t o o, a c co rd in g t o C la ra , vac illa te d . O n M arc h 3 s h e w ro te t h at s h e a n d h er f a th er h ad s p o ken o f S ch um an n an d t h at W ie c k s e em ed t o b e p re p are d t o a c cep t h im o n ce m ore a s a f r ie n d o f t h e hou se . S h e o ptim is tic ally a ssu re d h er lo ver t h at h er f a th er w as “ q u it e k in d.” “ H e se es v ery w ell t h at I w ill nev er g iv e m y h eart t o a n oth er— an d a f a th er li k e m in e wou ld n ev er c o n se n t t o g iv e m y h an d w it h ou t m y h eart.” 10 Cla ra h ad m is in te rp re te d h er f a th er’s c o m men ts , p erc eiv in g t h em in h er o w n way . S h e p o in te d o u t t h at it w ou ld b e d if fic u lt t o e arn a n a d eq u ate li v in g in Leip zig a n d w en t o n t o s k etc h a g lo rio u s li f e in V ie n na, w here R obert c o u ld co n tin ue t o c o m po se a n d e d it h is jo u rn al a n d s h e c o u ld e arn p erh ap s 2 ,0 00 t a le r th ro u gh c o n certs a n d t e ac h in g. T hese e arn in gs, a d ded t o h is in co m e o f 1 ,0 00 t a le r a y ear, w ou ld e n ab le t h em t o li v e c o m fo rta b ly .
This w as n ot e x ac tly t h e w ay W ie c k s a w t h e s it u atio n . W hat h e a c tu ally w ro te in h er d ia ry o n M arc h 3 , 1 838, w as:
. . . sp o ke w it h C la ra a b o u t S ch . a n d to ld h er I w ill n ev er g iv e m y c o n se n t to L eip zig , a n d C la ra q u it e a g re es w it h m e, a n d a ssu re s m e h er v ie w w ill a ls o nev er a lt e r. S ch . c an m an eu ver, p h ilo so ph iz e , e n th use , id eali z e a s m uch a s h e li k es; it is se ttle d th at C la ra can n ev er li v e in p o verty an d o bsc u rit y — bu t must h av e o ver 2 ,0 00 t a le r a y ear t o s p en d.
Robert w as h ap py t o h ear o f a r a tio n al c o n versa tio n , a n d h is a n sw er r e c alls h is lo n gin g f o r a f a th er:
Now if o n ly I c o u ld w in th e lo ve a n d c o n fid en ce o f y o u r fa th er— whom I wou ld so gla d ly call F ath er, w hom I h av e to th an k fo r so m uch o f th e hap pin ess in m y li f e , fo r h is te ac h in g— an d a ls o fo r g rie f— an d to w hom I sh ou ld li k e to g iv e n oth in g b u t jo y in h is o ld ag e, so th at h e sh ou ld sa y , “T hey a re g o od c h ild re n .” Yet h e w as s u sp ic io u s a n d a d ded , “ T here c an b e n o h ap pin ess in t h is re la tio n sh ip u ntil y o u r f a th er . . . c o n sid ers m e t h e f u tu re s o n o f t h e h ou se .” 11 The c o n sta n t r is e a n d f a ll o f t h eir h opes d id n ot w eak en R obert’s r e so lv e, a n d befo re s h e r e tu rn ed t o L eip zig s h e r e c eiv ed a f ir m le tte r f r o m h im , a sk in g h er t o s e t a d ate f o r t h eir m arria g e a n d e x p re ssin g g ra v e d o u bts t h at W ie c k w ou ld e v er g iv e his c o n se n t: “ S in ce h e h as t a k en b ac k w hat h e p ro m is e d s o m an y t im es, h e w ill d o it a g ain — in a w ord , I e x p ec t n oth in g f r o m h im , we m ust a ct fo r o u rs e lv es.” A nd h e 96 co n clu ded , in a lo n g le tte r w rit te n o ver a b o u t a w eek in A pril 1 838, t h at t h ey sh ou ld s e ttle o n E aste r 1 840 f o r t h eir m arria g e.
12 The r e tu rn t o L eip zig , o n M ay 1 5, 1 838, m ark ed t h e f in al p erio d o f t h e co u rts h ip b u t t h e c o n fli c tin g e m otio n s o n ly b ec am e m ore in te n se . T hou gh s h e nev er c o n sid ere d g iv in g u p R obert, d o u bts a b o u t t h e c o n tin uatio n o f h er c are er an d g u ilt o ver s e p ara tio n f r o m h er f a th er t o rm en te d C la ra , a n d t h e r e v erb era tio n s of t h ese f e eli n gs s h ook R obert a g ain a n d a g ain .
“If a n yo n e a sk s if I h av e a lr e ad y s e en y o u ,” s h e w ro te t o R obert in M ay 1 838, te ars sp rin g to m y e y es. Y ou a re so n ear a n d y et I c an not se e y o u . ... I a m su sp en ded in h eav en an d im med ia te ly afte rw ard am so u nhap py b ec au se I can not e m bra c e y o u rig h t a w ay , y o u w ho a re e v ery th in g to m e, y o u w ho hav e o pen ed a n oth er w orld t o m e. . . . Y ou a re t h e id eal o f a m an , a n id eal I hav e a lw ay s c arrie d in m y h eart.
13 And o n J u ne 2 , 1 838, s h e w ro te :
It w ou ld b e lo vely if T here se co u ld b e w it h u s th e fir st w eek s afte r o u r wed din g. Sh e co u ld te ac h m e m an y th in gs th at I can not le arn at h om e bec au se m y f a th er d o es n ot w an t to s e e m e a n yw here b u t a t th e p ia n o. H ow I w ou ld li k e to c o n cern m yse lf w it h h ou se h old ta sk s n ow an d th en , b u t I wou ld ju st b e la u gh ed a t.
14 In A pril, w hile C la ra w as s till a w ay , R obert h ad w rit te n t h at a lt h ou gh t h ey w ere go in g t o b e in t h e s a m e c it y f o r t h e s u m mer, it m ig h t b e b est if t h ey d id not m eet.
He w an te d a w if e , n ot a g ir l f o r s e c re t m eetin gs a n d k is se s. H e h ad e n du re d t h e sit u atio n f o r t w o y ears, h e w ro te , a n d h e c o u ld h old o u t f o r t w o m ore y ears. T he str a in o f p lo ttin g, o f s te ali n g a f e w m in ute s in o rd er t o h av e a c o u ple o f d is tr a c te d word s t o geth er, w as t o o m uch t o b ear. “ I a m n o lo n ger a m oon li g h t k n ig h t,” h e wro te . “ If y o u y earn f o r m e t e rrib ly , I w ill g la d ly c o m e; o th erw is e le t it g o ; it le ad s to n oth in g.” B ut C la ra c o u ld n ot r e str a in h erse lf a n d t h ey m et f r e q u en tly in t h e week s s h e w as in L eip zig . S h e e v en s u ggeste d v is it s t o h is r o om , b u t R obert dec id ed it w as t o o r is k y. “ If a n yo n e w ere t o s e e y o u a t m y h ou se , y o u r f a th er mig h t d o s o m eth in g d re ad fu l. I c an not h av e y o u v is it m e n ow .” T heir n ote s in dic ate t h at t h ey m et o fte n , h ow ev er, p erh ap s d aily .
15 Com pli c ate d o pera tio n s w ere s e t in m otio n f o r a v is it o f a m om en t o r t w o. O n Ju ne 8 , R obert’s t w en ty -e ig h th b ir th day , C la ra w ro te : “ B e a t o u r w in do w a t ex actly 9. I f I s ig n al w it h a w hit e c lo th , w alk s lo w ly t o w ard t h e o ld N eu m ark t. I w ill 97 fo llo w s o on a fte r a n d g o w it h y o u , s in ce I h av e t o f e tc h M oth er a t h er m oth er’s .
If I d on ’t s ig n al, it m ea n s s h e h asn ’t g o n e . ” 16 Robert t o C la ra , a n a g o n iz in g le tte r, J u ne 2 0:
I h av e su ch a n u rg en t d esir e to se e y o u , to p re ss y o u to m y h eart, th at I a m sa d — an d sic k a s w ell. I d o n ’t k n ow w hat is a b se n t in m y li f e , a n d y et I d o kn ow : y o u a re a b se n t. I se e y o u e v ery w here , y o u w alk u p a n d d o w n w it h me in m y ro om , y o u li e in m y a rm s a n d n oth in g, n oth in g is re al. I a m ill.
And h ow lo n g w ill t h is a ll e n du re ?
17 Sh e c o u ld g iv e n o r e sp o n se . V is it in g f r ie n ds in D re sd en f r o m J u ly 3 t o A ugu st 7 , how ev er, s h e c o u ld w rit e m ore f r e ely . F ro m t h e c arria g e t h at t o ok h er t o D re sd en sh e h ad s e en R obert s ta n din g b y, w ait in g t o f o llo w t h e c arria g e w it h h is e y es.
I s a w y o u , tw o s te p s a w ay f r o m m e, a n d c o u ld n ot g et o u t o f th e c arria g e to th ro w m yse lf in to y o u r a rm s. ... A s y o u c am e to w ard m e, I fe lt a s th ou gh I wou ld fa ll in to a fa in t b ec au se o f th e p ain ; ev ery th in g tu rn ed b la c k , an d when I c o u ld se e y o u n o lo n ger, m y h eart o pen ed a n d th e te ars flo w ed so th at I c o u ld n ot h id e t h em . T he f e eli n g w as in desc rib ab le .
18 In t h e lo n g A ugu st a n d S ep te m ber e v en in gs o f t h at y ear, 1 838, R obert s to od ac ro ss t h e s tr e et f r o m t h e W ie c k h om e a n d w atc h ed t h e w in do w f o r a g li m pse o f her s h ad o w o r li s te n ed f o r a f e w m easu re s o f h is m usic a s s h e p ra c tic ed . S h e k n ew he w as t h ere .
Cla ra w as b eg in nin g t o b e f r ig h te n ed b y h er f e eli n gs a b o u t h er f a th er:
It h as a lr e ad y c o m e to th is : I so m etim es h av e fr ig h te n in g th ou gh ts th at I n o lo n ger lo ve m y fa th er as I sh ou ld . A nd w hen m y belo ved R obert is dero gate d , rid ic u le d , in su lt e d , th is a ro u se s b it te r fe eli n gs, th is is th e d eep est wou nd. . . . T he p artin g f r o m F ath er w ill b e d if fic u lt f o r m e. I w ill h av e to str u ggle m ig h tily , b u t lo v e w ill g iv e m e str e n gth fo r ev ery th in g . W hen th e tim e co m es, I w ill co m e to o . F ath er m ay p erh ap s d is o w n m e, o h m y G od, h ow dre ad fu l, w ill it re ally g o so fa r? G od in h eav en w ill fo rg iv e m e th en — it is in deed o n ly lo ve.
19 Cla ra n ev er a c cep te d t h e a n ger s h e f e lt ; g u ilt h au nte d h er f o r m an y y ears. I n J u ly sh e w ro te f r o m M ax en , a s u bu rb o f D re sd en :
98 I f o rg iv e y o u r a n ger a t F ath er b ec au se I k n ow y o u w ou ld f o rg iv e e v ery th in g ju st a s q u ic k ly if h e w ou ld b e f r ie n dly to w ard u s. Y ou r h eart is so g o od th at I c an not t a k e [ y o u r a n ger] b ad ly . I a m h is d au gh te r a n d t h ou gh a t t im es I a m bit te r, y et I s till lo ve F ath er s o m uch . B eli e v e m e, h e is g o od a n d b eli e v es h e is d o in g th is f o r m y b est in te re sts . . . . H e is v ery h ard a t tim es, a n d d o es n ot kn ow th e lo ve th at w e ch eris h fo r eac h oth er, n or do es h e u ndersta n d deli c ac y o f fe eli n g in su ch a sit u atio n , b u t b eli e v e m e, w hen I am fin ally wit h y o u , h e w ill g ra d u ally b ec o m e f a v o ra b ly d is p o se d to w ard m e— he lo ves me t o o m uch t o c ast m e a sid e. B e c alm , m y R obert, h e lo ves y o u t o o; h e ju st will n ot a d m it it .
20 All h is li f e R obert w as t o f a c e t h e f a c t t h at C la ra n ev er r e ally g av e u p h er f a th er, ev en in t h e f a c e o f t h e b it te re st h ostili t y , e v en w hen W ie c k ’s b eh av io r s e em ed in sa n e. O n t h e w hole , R obert b o re t h e s it u atio n w ell; h is a ttit u de in dic ate d c o n cern an d u ndersta n din g f o r C la ra ’s n eed . B ut d esp it e h is s u rfa c e d ig n it y , h e w as fr ig h te n ed , s h ak en , a n d e asily d ep re sse d . O n A ugu st 1 , 1 838, h e w ro te , “ Y ou a re atta c h ed t o y o u r f a th er w it h g re at lo ve a n d I r e sp ec t y o u a ll t h e m ore f o r it . B ut Cla ra , if y o u w ere t o g iv e m e u p o n h is a c co u nt! M y b lo od r u ns c o ld . F org iv e m e.
I a m s till s o s ic k .” O n A ugu st 2 1 h e c o m pla in ed , “ Y ou r f a th er e m bit te rs m y w hole li f e , o u r e n tir e lo ve. H e t r a m ple s e v ery th in g u nderfo ot; h e w orsh ip s o n ly Mam mon . W hat li e s h as h e b een t e lli n g B ec k er a g ain ? A nd y o u d o n ’t d efe n d m e a t all? E nou gh o f t h is . . . b u t a ll t h ese s la n ders h au nt m e e v en in m y d re am s.” 21 Bec au se o f W ie c k ’s r ig id it y a n d o bdu ra c y , t h e lo vers w ere f o rc ed t o r e so rt t o li e s an d d ec ep tio n . E ven t h eir f r ie n ds w ere c au gh t in t h e w eb . E rn st A do lp h B ec k er, th e c o u rie r o f t h eir s e c re t le tte rs, w as p u t in o n e c o m pro m is in g p o sit io n a fte r an oth er. W hile e n jo yin g W ie c k ’s h osp it a li t y in L eip zig b etw een A ugu st 1 1 a n d 2 6, he w as c arry in g n ote s b etw een t h e d au gh te r o f t h e h ou se a n d R obert. T he W ie c k s nev er s u sp ec te d h im , b u t t h ey d id s u sp ec t M orit z R eu te r, t h e p h ysic ia n w ho w as a fr ie n d o f S ch um an n a n d o f W ie c k . C la ra h ad t o s u ffe r t h e in dig n it y o f b ein g se arc h ed f o r le tte rs a fte r R eu te r v is it e d t h e h ou se . T he lo vers li v ed in c o n sta n t f e ar of h av in g t h eir c o rre sp o n den ce d is c o vere d . H er s te p m oth er h ad w arn ed N an ny th at t h ey h ad w ay s a n d m ean s o f f in din g o u t if C la ra w ere w rit in g t o R obert. C la ra beg ged h im n ot t o le av e h er le tte rs ly in g a ro u nd a n d n ot t o m en tio n a n yth in g t h at sh e h ad w rit te n . “ F or G od’s s a k e,” s h e w ro te , “be ca re fu l; t h e u nfo rtu nate co n se q u en ces w ou ld b e d re ad fu l. ” 22 Again , a s in V ie n na, C la ra ’s a n ger a t h er f a th er w as e n tw in ed w it h h er n eed a n d gra tit u de f o r h is t e ac h in g. S h e f e lt s h e w as in deb te d t o h im e v en f o r h er lo ve f o r music , h er o n ly s o la c e w hen s h e w as m ad e m is e ra b le b y h is n ag gin g a n d u nre aso n .
99 Fro m D re sd en in A ugu st s h e w ro te :
How lo ve m ak es o n e so re c ep tiv e to ev ery th in g b eau tif u l. M usic is n ow qu it e an oth er th in g fo r m e th an it u se d to b e. H ow b li s sf u l, h ow fu ll o f lo n gin g it so u nds; it is in desc rib ab le . I c o u ld w ear m yse lf o u t n ow at th e pia n o, m y h eart is e ase d b y th e to n es a n d w hat sy m path y it o ffe rs! . . . O h, how b eau tif u l m usic is ; so o fte n it is m y c o n so la tio n w hen I w ou ld li k e to cry . Y et w e h av e m y f a th er t o t h an k f o r t h is a n d w ill nev er f o rg et t h is .
23 In e arly S ep te m ber 1 838, a f e w d ay s b efo re h er n in ete en th b ir th day , W ie c k arra n ged a G ew an dh au s c o n cert, h er f ir st a fte r t h e V ie n nese t r iu m ph . T he n ex t is su e o f R obert’s jo u rn al b ro u gh t a p o em t it le d “ D re am P ic tu re ,” in w hic h h e pra is e d C la ra ’s p la y in g a s t h e a c m e o f r o m an tic is m ; it e v o ked im ag es o f S ch ubert so n gs: o f t h e “ E rlk o n ig ” a n d “ M ig n on ,” o f k n ig h ts o f o ld , o f a p io u s n un. R obert pic tu re d C la ra a s a n e lu siv e “ an gel c h ild .” 24 T he p o em w as f o r t h e p u bli c .
Priv ate ly , t h e c o n cert a ro u se d in R obert a s e n se o f t h e a n gu is h h e w ou ld ex p erie n ce m an y t im es a s t h e h usb an d o f a c o n cert a rtis t, a n d f o r t h e f ir st t im e h e ex p re sse d a m biv ale n ce o ver h is s it u atio n . T o b eg in w it h , h e h ad f o u nd it unco m fo rta b le t o a tte n d b ec au se h e r e se n te d h av in g t o s h are h is g li m pse s o f h er wit h s o m an y o th ers. H e s a t q u ie tly in a c o rn er, w atc h in g h is r in g o n h er f in ger sp ark le f o r h im a s s h e p la y ed , a n d f e lt c o m ple te ly le ft o u t. H is t r u e f e eli n gs a re re v eale d in h is le tte r o f S ep te m ber 9 , 1 838:
You p la y ed m ag n if ic en tly . T he p eo ple d o n ’t d ese rv e y o u r [p la y in g]. . . .
You are to o d ear, to o lo fty fo r th e k in d o f li f e y o u r fa th er h old s u p as a worth y g o al; h e th in ks it w ill b rin g tr u e h ap pin ess. W hat d if fic u lt ie s, w hat a lo n g w ay , h ow m an y d ay s— an d ju st f o r a f e w h ou rs! . . . N o, m y C la ra w ill be a h ap py w if e , a c o n te n te d , b elo ved w if e . I c o n sid er y o u r art g re at an d holy . I h ard ly d are t h in k o f t h e h ap pin ess y o u w ill g iv e m e w it h it ; b u t if w e do n ’t c o n sid er it n ec essa ry , y o u w on ’t li f t a fin ger if y o u d o n ’t w an t to , fo r peo ple w ho a re n ’t e v en w orth p la y in g s c ale s f o r, is n ’t t h at s o , m y g ir l? D on ’t mis u ndersta n d m e: y o u k n ow I a m a n a rtis t w ho b eli e v es y o u c an p re se rv e art w it h ou t o u r h av in g to m ak e lo n g c o n cert to u rs, in deed y o u w ill fin d in me a tr u ly a rd en t m usic ia n , to w hom it is a ll th e sa m e if y o u r u sh a li t tle o r hold b ac k o r p la y a li t tle m ore e le g an tly — as lo n g a s it a lw ay s c o m es fr o m wit h in — an d it d o es w it h y o u .
25 So on a fte r t h at c o n cert, R obert le ft f o r V ie n na. T his t r ip h ad b een c o n ceiv ed a 100 fe w m on th s e arli e r, w hen it o ccu rre d t o C la ra t h at it m ig h t b e a d van ta g eo u s f o r Robert t o v is it t h e A ustr ia n c ap it a l a n d p erh ap s e v en tu ally t o m ove h is jo u rn al th ere , p artic u la rly in v ie w o f h er s u ccess t h ere a n d W ie c k ’s in sis te n ce t h at t h ey co u ld n ot r e m ain in L eip zig if t h ey m arrie d . R obert c o n cu rre d a n d w ro te t o Vie n na im med ia te ly . H is p la n w as t o e n li s t t h e h elp o f J o se p h F is c h hof, t h e V ie n na co rre sp o n den t f o r h is Neu e Z eit s ch rift a n d p ro fe sso r o f p ia n o in t h e c o n se rv ato ry , an d s o m e o f t h e in flu en tia l p eo ple C la ra h ad m et in s te erin g t h e p ro je c t th ro u gh th e b u re au cra c y a n d in tr ig u es o f t h e m usic -lo vin g c ap it a l. T his w as n o e asy t a sk in a c it y w here c en so rsh ip w as o f a v ir u le n ce u nkn ow n in L eip zig . A s it t u rn ed o u t, th e V ie n na t r ip c am e t o n oth in g a s f a r a s t h e jo u rn al w as c o n cern ed b u t w as o f gre at im po rta n ce in o th er w ay s: S ch um an n m et F erd in an d S ch ubert, b ro th er o f t h e co m po se r h e h ad id o li z e d , a n d d is c o vere d t h e g re at C -M ajo r S ym ph on y, w hic h had b een la id a w ay w it h o th er p ric ele ss m usic m an usc rip ts ; h e h ad m ore oppo rtu nit ie s t o h ear v o cal m usic , p artic u la rly o pera , t h an h ad b een p o ssib le in Leip zig ; a n d h e c re ate d a n um ber o f w ork s in w hic h t h e V ie n nese in flu en ce o n bo th h is e m otio n al a n d m usic al li f e a re e v id en t. “ A ra b esq u e,” o p. 1 8; “B lu m en stu ck ,” o p. 1 9; “ H um ore sq u e,” o p. 2 0; a n d“F asc h in gssc h w an k,” o p. 2 6, were a m on g t h e p ia n o w ork s c o m po se d in V ie n na.
26 Dre ad in g h is d ep artu re , C la ra c lu ng t o h im , b eg gin g f o r ju st o n e m ore m eetin g an d s till a n oth er, u ntil f in ally R obert c o n co cte d a n e la b o ra te p lo t s o t h at t h ey c o u ld sp en d s o m e t im e a lo n e. H e a n nou nced t o h is f r ie n ds a n d la n dla d y t h at h e w ou ld b e sta y in g in Z w ic k au f o r t w o w eek s b efo re e m bark in g o n t h e f in al s ta g es o f t h e t r ip to V ie n na. H e d id r e m ain in Z w ic k au — bu t o n ly u ntil h e r e c eiv ed a m essa g e f r o m Cla ra t h at W ie c k h ad le ft t o w n o n a b u sin ess t r ip . H e t h en s li p ped b ac k in to Leip zig a n d s ta y ed t w o d ay s w it h a f r ie n d s o t h at h e a n d C la ra c o u ld b e t o geth er.
Fin ally h e le ft f o r D re sd en o n h is w ay t o V ie n na.
27 This s e p ara tio n e n gen dere d m uch a n xie ty a n d t e n sio n , a n d t h e le tte rs b etw een th e lo vers c arrie d t h e s e ed s o f a m is u ndersta n din g t h at w as t o b re ak o u t in f u ll f o rc e when C la ra w as in P aris . M ore o ver, W ie c k w as f u rio u s w hen h e le arn ed t h at t h e tw o w ere c arry in g o u t p la n s t o m eet t h e c o n dit io n s h e h im se lf h ad la id d o w n a f e w mon th s b efo re : t h at R obert w as t o le av e L eip zig a n d e sta b li s h h is p ap er in V ie n na an d t h at C la ra w as t o g o t o P aris a lo n e. N ew c o n dit io n s w ere e sta b li s h ed : N an ny, who w as k n ow n t o b e s y m path etic t o C la ra a n d R obert, w as t o b e d is m is se d ; C la ra was t o g o o n n o m ore t o u rs; a n d if s h e m arrie d , s h e w as t o “ fu lf ill h er d u tie s t o h er moth er” b y s e n din g F ra u B arg ie l t h e in te re st o n h er c ap it a l.
28 T he d em an ds w ere pu zzli n g, a s W ie c k h ad p re v io u sly f o rb id den h er t o s e n d a n yth in g t o h er m oth er.
3 More p u zzli n g s till w as t h e a n nou ncem en t t h at h e w ou ld n ot a c co m pan y h er t o Paris . F earfu l, s h e t u rn ed t o S ch um an n, w ho a ssu re d h er t h at if w orse c am e t o 101 worst a n d s h e h ad t o le av e h er f a th er’s h om e, h e w ou ld p ro vid e ( in deed , h ad alr e ad y p ro vid ed ) a f u nd o n w hic h s h e c o u ld d ra w . Y et d esp it e S ch um an n’s gen ero sit y a n d f o re th ou gh t a n d h er f a th er’s s e n se le ss d em an ds, C la ra s till w av ere d an d R obert h ad t o e n du re c o n sta n t f lu ctu atio n s in h er m ood.
“Y ou a re , f o rg iv e m e, li k e a p air o f c h ild re n ,” h e w ro te o n O cto ber 2 4, 1 838.
“Y ou c ry , h e s c o ld s, a n d it is s till t h e s a m e a s e v er. . . . Y ou c an ’t b elo n g t o h im an d t o m e a t t h e s a m e t im e. Y ou w ill h av e t o le av e o n e, h im o r m e.” 29 Thou gh s h e p ro te ste d t h at R obert w as t h e o n e w ho m atte re d , W ie c k ’s in flu en ce re m ain ed s tr o n ger. W it h ou t r e ali z in g t h e e ffe c t h er w ord s m ig h t h av e o n R obert, Cla ra w ro te o f w ait in g u ntil a fte r 1 840 f o r t h eir m arria g e, if n ec essa ry , so t h ey wou ld b e o n f ir m er f in an cia l g ro u nd. S ch um an n’s d esp air w as s o in te n se t h at D r.
Reu te r h ad t o r e m in d h er t o b e c are fu l a b o u t w hat s h e w ro te . F in ally , o n Novem ber 2 5, s h e w ro te w hat h e w as lo n gin g t o h ear: “ F or y o u r s a k e I w ill g iv e up m y f a th er, w hom I lo ve m ore t h an a n yo n e e x cep t f o r y o u . I w ill f o llo w y o u wit h ou t m y f a th er’s c o n se n t. . . . T hat is a g re at d eal f o r a f e eli n g h eart t o d o , dif fic u lt , b u t I tr u st y ou , m y li f e w ill li e in y o u r h an ds a n d b y lo vin g m e y o u w ill mak e m e h ap py.” 30 Ala s, t h is w as n ot t o b e h er la st w ord .
The t r ip t o P aris b ec am e b o th a p riv ate a n d a p u bli c t e stin g g ro u nd f o r C la ra ’s in dep en den ce, a f r ig h te n in g t h ou gh t f o r h er. E ven R obert w as h esit a n t a t f ir st a n d had t o b e c o n vin ced o f t h e a d van ta g es t o b e g ain ed f r o m s u ch a t r ip . A s la te a s Augu st h e w as w rit in g t o h er: “ A bo u t P aris , if I w ere in y o u r p la c e I w ou ld n ot a c t as if it m ean s t o o m uch , n or w ou ld I t a lk a b o u t it t o o m uch e it h er. Y ou r f a th er will c erta in ly n ot s ta y h om e a ll w in te r. Y ou c an not t r a v el a lo n e; I w on ’t p erm it it .” 31 Durin g t h e n ex t f e w m on th s C la ra b eg an t o r e c o gn iz e t h e d ep th o f h er f a th er’s hostili t y . H e w ou ld p erm it h er t o g o t o P aris w it h ou t h im , b u t h e h oped f o r h er fa ilu re a n d c o u nte d o n h er r e tu rn f r o m w hat h e p re d ic te d w ou ld b e a n ig n om in io u s d efe at. F ury a t h er d efia n ce a n d in dep en den t s p ir it o u tw eig h ed p rid e in h er s u ccess; t h is m an w ou ld b e v in dic ate d a t a n y c o st. B ut in c o u ntin g o n h er need f o r h im a s t e ac h er, f a th er, p ro te c to r, W ie c k ig n ore d a ll s h e h ad le arn ed f r o m th at s a m e s o u rc e: p ra c tic ali t y , s e lf - c o n fid en ce, a n d a p artic u la r h ard h ead ed stu bbo rn ness. A nd s o s h e d ec id ed t o g o .
Nan ny, h er o n ly c o n fid an te , w as n ot p erm it te d t o a c co m pan y h er, a n d W ie c k hir e d a s c h ap ero n e C la u din e D ufo u rd , a F re n ch w om an w hom C la ra d id n ot k n ow .
Sh e le ft L eip zig w it h t h e s tr a n ger o n J a n uary 8 , 1 839, h ead in g t o w ard N ure m berg in a h eav y s n ow fa ll. S h e p la n ned t o e arn m on ey b y g iv in g c o n certs a lo n g t h e w ay , as s h e h ad d o n e o n h er p re v io u s t r ip w it h h er f a th er in 1 832, a n d w as g ra tif ie d t h at 102 desp it e h er f a th er’s a b se n ce, h er c o n certs in N ure m berg , S tu ttg art, a n d K arls r u he wen t w ell. T hou gh s h e t o ld h erse lf t h at h er f a th er w ou ld c o m e a s s o on a s h is bu sin ess w ou ld a llo w , s h e w as b eg in nin g t o r e ali z e h ow w ell s h e h ad le arn ed t o carry o n a c are er w it h ou t h im .
32 T here w ere , o f c o u rse , a n xio u s m om en ts a s s h e sa t in t h e c arria g e, w rit in g t o R obert. A ddre ssin g h im n ow a s E use b iu s, n ow a s Flo re sta n , s h e d esc rib ed h er h ead ac h es, h er s le ep le ss n ig h ts , a n d t h e r e sp o n sib ili t ie s of t h e c o n cert a rra n gem en ts t h at w ere n ow h ers.
The jo u rn ey y ie ld ed t w o h ap py e v en ts : in A sc h s h e le arn ed t h at E rn estin e w as marrie d a n d w as w illi n g t o h elp C la ra a n d R obert in a n y w ay ; a n d in S tu ttg art s h e fo u nd a t r a v eli n g c o m pan io n , H en rie tte R eic h m an n, a y o u ng w om an o f h er o w n ag e w ho w is h ed t o s tu dy w it h h er a n d w as p re p are d t o g o t o P aris t o b e w it h h er.
Hen rie tte r e m ain ed a f r ie n d f o r li f e .
The P aris t h e t w o y o u ng w om en a n d t h eir c h ap ero n e w ere t im oro u sly ap pro ac h in g w as s till t h e m usic al c ap it a l o f E uro pe: n in ete en t h eate rs a n d a t le ast th re e c o n cert s a lo n s p re se n te d o pera , d ra m a, v au dev ille , b alle t, r e v u es, r e c it a ls , a n d oth er e v en ts d aily . G ia c o m o M ey erb eer, o n e o f m an y G erm an c o m po se rs C la ra an d W ie c k h ad m et o n h er e arli e r t r ip , w as n ow t h e m ost a d m ir e d c o m po se r in Paris , t s a r o f t h e o pera , a n d, f o rtu nate ly f o r C la ra , a m an e asy t o k n ow . S h e w as ab le t o t u rn t o h im f o r a d vic e, a n d a lt h ou gh la te r R obert d esp is e d a n d c astig ate d h is music , h e p ro ved t o b e a r e li a b le f r ie n d t o C la ra . S h e m et o th er c o m po se rs a s w ell —Frie d ric h K alk bre n ner, D an ie l A uber, G eo rg es O nslo w , a n d J a c q u es H ale v y— bu t m ad e li t tle im pre ssio n o n t h em , n or d id s h e c are f o r t h e F re n ch c o m po se rs (e x cep t f o r O nslo w , o f w hom s h e b ec am e f o n d). A m on g t h e m usic ia n s s h e en co u nte re d w ere C harle s A lk an , P ie rre B aillo t, A do lp h e A dam , L uig i C heru bin i, Jo h an n B ap tis te C ra m er, a n d A nna d e B elle v ille -O ury ( a f o rm er c o m petit o r w hom sh e b ra n ded “ th e m ost a b h orre n t w om an in t h e w orld ”), a s w ell a s P rin cess Cris tin a B elg io jo so , a w ealt h y p atr o n ess. T hro u gh t h e E ra rd f a m ily , m ak ers o f music al in str u m en ts , s h e w as in tr o du ced t o m an y d is tin gu is h ed w rit e rs, in clu din g Ale x an dre D um as a n d H ein ric h H ein e.
Hec to r B erli o z, w hose Sym ph on ie F an ta stiq u e h ad b een a n aly ze d , r e v ie w ed , a n d pra is e d b y S ch um an n in 1 835, w as in tr o du ced t o h er a t t h e h om e o f t h e B ertin s, a n in flu en tia l P aris ia n p u bli s h in g f a m ily . S h e d esc rib ed t h e m eetin g in a le tte r t o Robert:
He is q u ie t, h as u nco m mon ly th ic k h air , a n d is a lw ay s lo okin g a t th e flo or, castin g h is ey es d o w nw ard . H e w ill v is it m e to m orro w . A t fir st I d id n ’t kn ow it w as h e an d w on dere d w ho th is m an w as w ho co n tin ually sp o ke ab o u t y o u ; f in ally I a sk ed h im h is n am e, a n d w hen h e t o ld m e I r e ac te d w it h su ch h ap py asto n is h m en t th at h e m ust h av e b een fla tte re d . H is n ew o pera 103 [B en ven uto C elli n i] h as b een a c o m ple te f a ilu re .
33 Berli o z, s till s tr u ggli n g f o r a f o oth old o n t h e p erilo u sly p o li t ic al m usic al p ath s o f th e F re n ch c ap it a l a n d b u rd en ed w it h a n ill a n d in co m patib le w if e a n d y o u ng ch ild , h ad li t tle t im e o r in cli n atio n t o h elp t h e y o u ng G erm an p ia n is t. S h e w as n ot hap py w it h h is r e v ie w in t h e Jo u rn al d es D eb ats o f h er c o n cert o n A pril 1 6; h e ac k n ow le d ged h er g if ts a s a p ia n is t b u t d am ned h er S ch erz o w it h f a in t p ra is e .
Alt h ou gh s h e p ro fe sse d m odesty a b o u t h er c re ativ e a b ili t ie s, s h e w as a c cu sto m ed t o crit ic al a c cla im . S h e w as t a k en a b ac k b y B erli o z’s w ord s, f e lt h e w as h ostile , a n d in her d ia ry e n tr y o f A pril 1 8, 1 839, d esc rib ed h is r e v ie w a s “ ex tr e m ely m ali c io u s.” I n a le tte r t o R obert s h e c alle d h im h er “ se c re t e n em y,” r e p eate d s o m e s la n dero u s go ssip a b o u t h is a c tiv it ie s a s a m usic c rit ic , a n d a c cu se d h im o f e n gag in g in c ab als ag ain st h er.
34 On h er a rriv al in P aris o n F eb ru ary 6 , 1 839, C la ra h ad f o u nd g o od f r ie n ds:
Em ili e L is t w as t h ere w it h h er p are n ts , a n d t h e m ezzo -so pra n o P au li n e G ard a ( la te r Via rd o t) , w hom s h e h ad m et in D re sd en t h e p re v io u s s u m mer, w as s e ttle d in t h e Fre n ch c ap it a l w it h h er m oth er a n d b ro th er- in -la w , t h e B elg ia n v io li n is t C harle s d e Berio t, a n d m ak in g a g re at s e n sa tio n .
4 E ra rd a n d P le y el, t h e le ad in g p ia n o man ufa c tu re rs, b o th p re sse d p ia n os o n C la ra , p la c in g h er in a p re d ic am en t t h at s h e fo u nd d if fic u lt t o h an dle : h ow w as s h e t o u se t h e P le y el ( w hic h s h e p re fe rre d ) wit h ou t in su lt in g P ie rre E ra rd ?
35 There w ere m an y d if fic u lt ie s a n d d is a p po in tm en ts in t h e b ig f o re ig n c it y . I t w as se v era l w eek s b efo re s h e w as a b le t o r e tr ie v e R obert’s le tte rs f r o m t h e p o st o ffic e; sh e r e c eiv ed n o w ord f r o m h er f a th er f o r e v en lo n ger. F eeli n g c o m ple te ly c u t o ff fr o m h er f o rm er li f e , s h e la m en te d t o R obert t h at s h e w as r e ally a lo n e f o r t h e f ir st tim e in h er li f e . B ut w hen H ein ric h P ro bst, a f r ie n d a n d b u sin ess a sso cia te o f h er fa th er, a n d E du ard F ec h ner, h er s te p m oth er’s b ro th er, u rg ed h er t o r e tu rn h om e, sh e r e fu se d t o le av e a n d a rra n ged t o g iv e c o n certs a t t h e C on se rv ato ir e a n d t h e Era rd s a lo n . S h e w ro te t o R obert t h at s h e w as c o n sid erin g t o u rin g in E ngla n d f o r se v era l m on th s a n d r e tu rn in g t o P aris in t h e s u m mer t o g iv e le sso n s. S h e w eig h ed th e p o ssib ili t y o f a t o u r in t h e F re n ch p ro vin ces b efo re r e tu rn in g t o L eip zig t o marry a t E aste r 1 840, w it h o r w it h ou t h er f a th er’s p erm is sio n .
Sh e a n d H en rie tte R eic h m an n, a c co m pan ie d b y C la u din e D ufo u rd ( so on t o b e dis m is se d ), t o ok lo dgin gs in t h e H ote l M ic h ad ie re