Casa Schumann. Diari 1841-1844

by Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, Quirino Principe (Translator)

"Mia amatissima giovane sposa, lascia che ti dia il più tenero dei baci in questo giorno, il primo della tua vita di sposa, il primo del tuo ventiduesimo compleanno. Questo piccolo quaderno che oggi inauguro è destinato ad avere un significato molto diventerà il resoconto quotidiano di tutto quanto concerne la nostra casa e la nostra vita coniugale. Qui troveranno spazio i nostri desideri e le nostre speranze, ma dovrà anche essere il quaderno delle nostre preghiere, quelle che ciascuno di noi vorrà rivolgere all'altro, quando la parola detta si sarà rivelata inefficace". Così si apre questo diario, scritto a due mani da Robert Schumann e Clara Wieck nel corso di un quadriennio, viva e palpitante testimonianza della realizzazione di un sogno, che non è solo un'unione sentimentale ma il luogo in cui convergono le aspirazioni comuni del compositore e della grande pianista.

Genres: Music

279 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1976

Reviews

[Kelvino · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's honestly kinda crazy that a book like this exists. People complain about being born in the wrong generation but man, having access to historic private texts thanks to tech is so indescribably freaking amazing. Like having the private love letters and journals of my favourite composer??? Would never happen if I was born in the 1900s.

I really like the note in the beginning about how they describe journaling, it being a long running tradition of self reflection, the act of opening a proceeding where you are the guilty, the judge, the lawyer and the public at the same time. Journaling is to take distance with your ego and self and consider this "me" with objectivity, to turn it up down left and right and analyse it as an observer and not an experiencer of it. I think everyone should maintain a monthly journal or honestly whatever pace of writing suits them best. Isn't it such a nice idea to have a bridge between the past present and future? While photos can exhibit physical change, your journal exhibits your mental evolution which I think is super important and helpful to keep track of.

Anyways, since this book isn't super structured, here are thoughts and exceprts of the book I enjoyed:

- I am going to wilfully ignore that Robert and Clara have a 10 year age gap and that they've known each other since Clara was in her teens. No wonder her father was so vehemently against their marriage.
- Robert is such an interesting character, he knew when he was a student and having barely learned any harmony nor piano, even when he permanently injured his hand in an accident, that he would be a long-lasting figure in the classical music world. He carried himself with confidence as if carried by destiny despite not really even having much reason to believe so for awhile. He was yet in no way cocky and while aware of his genius, he never let himself be imbued in it and it never seemed to be part of his identity. He simply viewed himself as a man of music for music, a husband to his wife and a father to his (many) children
- Robert loved his friends so dearly, when he sends a final letter to Rosen to express his amical love to him, it's so poetic and beuaitful and asdjfhasdkjfh I want my friend to write a cute letter like that to me LMFAO I think I'd cry. Robert was such an emotional dude and hearing him gush about how the distance between him and Rosen has not closed their hearts and that in their seperation, they will love each other more. What is this LMFAO im so shocked, "Don't forget your poor friend absent, whose heart is broken and sorrowful, which me what I wish for you from afar. May your genius subsist above the mire of life and stay who you are, what you've always been ... human" WHAT .
- Robert calling his and Clara's house a nest is the cutest thing in the world
- Robert noting randomly that Chopin freaking dedicated a whole ass Ballade is such a shocking thing. Ballade no.2 is so wild and it's so cute that all these geniuses alive at the same time just did these gests for each other. He said that it was more of a delight than having the honour of a prince.
- Clara is the FIRST woman virtuose in history in a time when feminism wasn't even like real yet basically. It's weird to see how she doesn't seem aware of it, she's one of two (even that can be argued) to go down in history among the hundreds of men pianists, I wish she could know how influential she becomes.
- Robert being scared of heights is so cute for some reason
- I love seeing historical figures appear in recounts of other historical figures. The description of Liszt his hilarious, he was literally the heart throb of the time. It's amazing as well how universally well known Liszt was for his unparalleled skill. It's also funny that the couple explicitly say that they respect him for his playing but think his music is dissonant trash.
- "As always, Liszt arrived extremely late. I think he likes being desired and I don't like it. He always come off as a spoiled good kid, authoritarian, loveable, arrogant, noble and generous, a curious mix of different qualities. He has never been anything but kind to us." - Clara. Liszt is just the archetype for a manic pixie dream boy.
- The traditional gender roles are so obvious at many times throughout. Robert stubbornly being opposed to Clara bringing in money for her playing even though that would've helped so much and Clara begging him to just let her contribute. Her love for him and her faith in him as an artist ran so strong and Robert's thirst to dedicate himself exclusively to his art unfortunately collided witht he social values of the time which limited both their artistry and happiness.
- Mendhelsson becoming literally the godfather of Robert and Clara's first kid is so shocking. I had no idea that they were literally best freaking friends up until his death and that they confided often with each other.
- Robert's character really shines through with his short section on his advice to young musicians, an emotional empathetic man that was realistic, aware of people's limits and rightfully strict. Such sober and not flowery advice, grounded in his music most evidently.
- Clara literally being THE reason that we have to memorize all our pieces whenver we give a concert or do an RCM test is wild. She's the one that set this new standard which was at the time revolutionary and audacious. Now it's a given but at hte time "nothing since Mendelssohn's death, have I ever seen such energy grip the choir and orchestra"
- Schizophrenia is a crazy thing. Imagine waking up and being continuously tortured by hearing the "angel's voice" in your ear all day and not being unable to sleep because of it. Personally, I'd jump off the bridge too. How does that even happen in the brain??
- Marie, their first kid, her entry was so cute and her expressing how loving her parent's were.
- It's a shame that Clara wasn't pushed to compose more. It's obvious how unified they were with each other and it's no coincidence that, her works are similar to his and his works similar to hers. I don't think you can consider Robert's works without considering Clara as well. It's stated multiple times that Clara was Robert's inspiration for his works and Robert's works were an inspiration for her to continue playing.
- Robert denounced melody describing it as "the war cry of amateurs". Which makes sense, few of his works lead with a strong catchy melody and most of his works rely on harmonic complexity which is also why he isn't as well known as Chopin. Basically, he would HATE pop music. I don't think he'd succeed in a modern world.

All in all, power couple.

[Elijah Welch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wild that something like this is just public domain, but pop off. Read as material research for Uni