Clara Schumann

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

@yohannes_Brahms I have been doing the same. Thank you for helping me continue his legacy! #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

In 1878, I became the principal teacher of piano at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt, while simultaneously continuing my career as a performer. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

I devoted most of the second half of my life to editing, promoting, and performing Robert's works. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

I only composed one more piece after Robert's death, a march simply titled "March" that I wrote for a friend's anniversary. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

After Robert's death I resumed my concert tours and performed in order to support my kids. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

Sadly, my beloved husband has died in the asylum, and now I am a widow at just 37, with 7 kids to raise. My grief has overcome me but I have to provide for my children. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

While Robert was in the asylum, @yohannes_Brahms and I started exchanging letters, and he grew to be my closest confidante and most beloved friend. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

It was incredibly hard to raise 7 children all alone after Robert died. I had to support them by performing endlessly so that they could all go through school. Most of them were too young to even remember their father. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

Robert died 2 years after being committed to an asylum, and @yohannes_Brahms was like a rock to me, supporting me throughout all my grief. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

In 1854, Robert tried to commit suicide and was committed to an asylum, where I was not allowed to visit him. These were the hardest years of my life. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

@yohannes_Brahms You were there for me so much after Robert died, and my love for you goes beyond any friend I’ve ever had #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

@yohannes_Brahms Hey you ignored me first! I thought you were gone forvever in the twitter verse! #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

I met a wonderful woman, Fanny Mendelssohn, and shared a sympathy with her for not being able to compose anymore. Because we are women, our talent for composition is stifled by society and the household tasks we are forced to do and children we have to now take care of. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

I feel I have lost my ability to compose. I am a woman after all, and who am I to be the one woman who is able to compose, when all the others have tried and have failed? A woman's job is in the household. I continue to play my piano though. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

Robert and I had 7 surviving kids, which I feel very lucky about, but they are such a large responsibility. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

For my birthday, Robert gave me a song cycle, which was such a treasure. The songs have so much depth of feeling and imagination! #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

When Robert and I got married, we created a joint diary. I love looking at it, and remembering the wonderful times we had together. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

Although unusual during the period of time we live in, I was the core provider of the household with my compositions and music. People claim my works are my husbands, because they can't accept a woman composer possibly being better than a man. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

At 13 years old, I was one of the first pianists to perform from memory, starting that trend for pianists for years after. #musc322

[Clara Schumann @ClaraSchumann_]

Robert and I would often interweave ideas that we share within our keyboard works, as a means of reaffirming our love when it was forbidden by my father. #musc322