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 Robert Schumann Scott 1447 (2010) In 2010, Vatican City issued two stamps and a leaflet that fit into an ongoing series of releases honoring famed composers and musicians of the Classical era. The 2010 issue featured Frydrych Chopin and Robert Schumann. Robert Alexander Schumann was born in 1810 in Zwickau, Saxony (now located in central Germany) and died on July 29, 1856. He was an influential composer and pianist, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann embarked on his musical career under the tutelage of the German pianist Friedrich Wieck, who believed Schumann could become a piano virtuoso. However, Schumann lost the use of one of his fingers due to injury and his career as a performing pianist ended. This led Schumann to focus on composing. In 1840, Schumann married Clara Wieck, daughter of his mentor Friedrich, who opposed the marriage. Robert and Clara formed a successful musical partnership (Clara was herself an established pianist). They also came to form a close relationship with another famed German composer, Johannes Brahms. Schumann's works include compositions for the piano, as well as orchestral works. He composed four symphonies, one opera, and other orchestral, choral, and chamber works. His best-known works include Carnaval, Kinderszenen and Kreisleriana. Schumann lived a rather short and trouble life. He suffered from a mental disorder later described as 'psychotic melancholia'. It is thought that he was inflicted with a combination of bipolar disorder and perhaps mercury poisoning. Following a suicide attempt in 1854, Schumann admitted himself to a mental asylum, and died of pneumonia two years later at the age of 46. Schumann leaves behind a collection of impressive compositions and is rightfully classed as on of the most brilliant composers of all time.  Fryderyk Chopin and Robert Schumann Commemorative Leaflet Scott 1448 (2010) REFERENCES: |
