This month I’d like to explore the topic “Behind the Scenes: Jealousy throughout Music
History.” Everyone experiences jealousy at some point in life, even our
favorite composers. But how did they deal with their jealousy and how does our
knowledge of their little “secrets” affect how we listen to their music?
With Valentine’s Day being right around
the corner, I thought it would be fun to spend the next few weeks exploring two
of my favorite romantic dramas in music history. This week, let’s look at what
I like to call “The Clara Schumann Love Affair.”
Robert and Clara Schumann are probably
the most well-known couple in music history, Robert known for his compositions,
and Clara for her piano virtuosity. Robert studied piano with Clara’s father,
Friedrich Wieck, until a hand injury turned his focus to that of a music critic
and composer. Though Wieck strongly resented the union of his daughter with
Schumann, the two took the matter to the court to override his disapproval in
1840. Schumann composed many love songs during that same year, expressing his
deep passion for the young Clara while also hoping it would be lucrative in
order to help support his new family.
The couple worked together musically for
a number of years before meeting Johannes Brahms in 1853. Robert and Johannes
quickly became each other’s advocates, Robert publishing positive remarks
regarding Brahms’ work, thus launching the young composer’s career. It is a
known fact that Brahms admired Clara, who was fourteen years his senior. This
explains why he quickly stepped in to assist her when Robert’s health began to
fail, eventually leading to admittance into an insane asylum in 1854 following
an attempt at suicide. Prone to depression, Robert’s behavior became bizarre
and unstable. Two years after arriving at the asylum, Robert Schumann passed
away. During this difficult time for Clara, Brahms never ceased pitching in and
offering his comfort and support, many times caring for her family so that she
could travel and perform. Was this the behavior of a friend or a lover? Was
Brahms trying to catch Clara’s eye during a weak moment or did he respect
Robert too much to attempt such actions? Historians do not know the truth about
their relationship but many surviving correspondences do provide interesting
details. Join me next time to read excerpts from these letters.
