Robert Schumann Composer

Robert Schumann was born in Zwickau in Germany in 1810 and lived until 1856. He was one of the first major composers of the so-called Romantic era, when orchestral music became much more individualistic and dramatic. Although he only completed four symphonies, he wrote many more songs and compositions for piano. He was married to the famous pianist and fellow composer, Clara Schumann, and is known for mentoring and inspiring the young Johannes Brahms. Schumann lived through turbulent political times, and was deeply affected by the failed revolutions in Europe in 1848-49, particular the bloody uprising in Dresden, where he lived. Suffering from a mental disorder for much of his life, Schumann died age just 46.