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Composer of the Month: September Clara Schumann “Why hurry over beautiful things? Why not linger and enjoy them?” --Clara Schumann www.brainyquote.com Born September, 13, 1819 in Leipzig, Germany Died May 20, 1896 in Frankfurt, Germany How many birthdays did she have?? Clara Wieck Clara’s parents were divorced when she was four years old. She was raised by her father, who encouraged her to study the pianoforte. Her first performance was when she was eight and she presented her first solo concert when she was eighteen. Clara was one of the first performers to memorize her music for her concerts. Today pianists are expected to always perform without sheet music. She began writing her own music in 1831, when she was twelve. Her first piece was Four Polonaises for the Pianoforte. Clara and Robert • Against her father’s wishes, Clara married Robert Schumann, a former piano student of her father’s, one day before her 21st birthday. Robert’s performance career ended with an injury, so he put his energy into composing. Robert’s Music • Album of the Young In 1848, Robert wrote this collection of short pieces for his three daughters. The first 18 songs are suited for beginners, the other 25 for more advanced players. *Melody *The Happy Farmer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Album_for_the_Young • Four symphonies, a piano concerto, chamber music and music for solo piano • An excellent example of Romantic music • Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 20 by Clara Schumann http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er6pG15hXcQ