Schumann
Robert Schumann (1810–1856) was a German Romantic composer and influential music critic known for his piano works, lieder, and orchestral compositions.
In Depth
Schumann was one of the most important composers of the Romantic era. His piano cycles such as Carnaval, Kinderszenen, and Kreisleriana are cornerstones of the repertoire, blending literary imagination with musical invention. He also composed four symphonies and a celebrated piano concerto.
His dual nature found expression in the fictional characters Florestan and Eusebius, representing his passionate and dreamy sides respectively. He founded the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik journal, championing Chopin and Brahms. His later years were shadowed by mental illness, and he died in an asylum at age 46.
Schumann invented two alter-ego characters — the fiery Florestan and gentle Eusebius — who appear as credited composers in his piano works.