Clara Schumann: Piano Virtuoso

by Susanna Reich

A piano prodigy, Clara Schumann made her professional debut at the age of nine and had embarked on her first European concert tour by the time she was twelve. Clara charmed audiences with her soulful playing throughout her life. Music was a constant source of inspiration and support for this strong and resilient woman. After the death of her husband, Robert Schumann, Clara continued her brilliant career and supported their eight children. Clara Schumann's extraordinary story is supplemented with her letters and diary entries, some of which have never before been published in English. Gorgeous portraits and photographs show the members of Clara's famous musical community and Clara herself from age eight to seventy-six. Index, chronology.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music, Childrens, Biography Memoir, History

128 pages, Hardcover

First published April 19, 1999

Reviews

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have a new granddaughter, Clara Joy, born February 17. Her musician parents considered Clara Schumann as they named their new daughter, so I decided to learn about this woman of the 19th century. This junior biography is well-written and informative with wonderful pictures of Clara, her husband Robert, their children, and some of their artist friends. I believe Clara's life is well summarized on page 100: "To Clara Schumann, music was not only a gift that enabled her to bear the misfortunes of a difficult life, but a voice with which she could share her deepest experience of that life...."

[Jenna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Clara Schumann: Piano Virtuoso" tells the story of Clara Schumann, the exceptionally accomplished musician who began her remarkable career in piano performance and competition under her father’s instruction. Clara was a talented musician from her birth, and continued to grow her career, friendships, and fame through the concerts she performed throughout Europe. Clara had a major influence on other famous musicians such as her husband Robert Schumann, and on music in the nineteenth century in general. Clara's story really is incredible, inspiring, and impressive. Clara overcomes enormous challenges through her life like losing her husband and taking care of her eight children on her own, while being the sole provider of income. Despite her tough life, Clara loved to perform and did it thousands of times and actually was one of the first to perform a concert entirely on the piano. The author Susanna Reich and her mother are both scholars who research and write about Clara's life, and their careful research and planning show in this beautiful story. Each page of the book has quotes from Clara, her husband, or friends and/or a meaning photograph that perfectly complements the text. Even if the reader is unfamiliar with Clara Schumann or nineteenth century music, they will enjoy reading the book because it is informational yet wonderfully engaging. I would use this book in a classroom to teach about analysis and integration of quotes. Reich sets a wonderful example of how to properly integrate quotes into the story along with her own analysis and commentary, making this book ideal for an English or history class working on this skill.

[LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a juvenile title when I requested it from the library, but I often find that juvenile titles are a good way to begin to discover a subject. I learned quite a bit that I didn't already know, and was inspired to dig deeper She was definitely a woman ahead of her time--single mom supporting seven children with her performance and teaching career (although I don't understand how she could be a teach with any regularity while being away touring for months at a time.)

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I flew through this book. I am so surprised that we get to hear more about Robert Schumann than her! She was a badass in her time. I will definitely be looking for her music.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was so interesting to learn more about the wife of Robert Schumann. Turns out that she was the famous one when they were alive. She has a fascinating life and sounds like a very interesting person to have known. This was a quick read, and I would recommend this to anyone interested in music or the piano.

[Laura Gabica]

Clara Schumann: Piano Virtuoso by Susanna Reich is a biography of Clara Schumann. Clara is a piano prodigy, meaning that she has been unusually amazing at the piano since an extremely young age. The book talks about her amazing playing and performing for others at a young age. The book also talks about Clara finding her husband and having and raising her eight children. Then the book discusses her losing her husband. The book talks about how she managed to support eight children and continue to play, even when her husband died. The book also contained some of her diary entries and letters, which was a very intriguing addition to the book. This book is great for students who enjoy piano and/or enjoy nonfiction books. It can also be a good lesson for students to learn to persevere, because it talks about the loss of her husband and how she still manages to raise her children and play the piano.

[Thebruce1314 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a relatively short book, intended for a younger audience, though I'm not quite sure what age it would appeal to. It tells the story of Clara Schumann's life succinctly, based on the author's mother's research. The language used, I felt, was sometimes a bit mature for the format, but overall a nice history which might inspire further reading. Unfortunately, the author doesn't do a great job of pointing readers to further sources. A quick read, nicely illustrated with historic pictures and documents.

['jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess this is a children's book. Reminds me of when I had to do book reports when I was in elementary school. I loved the reprints of old paintings and photos and learning more about Schumann, Brahms and other musicians of the time. Looked interesting sitting on the library shelf -- glad I read it.

Good biography when Serenna (or someone else) needs to do a book report on a strong, amazing woman who had a career in the 1800s.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading biographies, especially about musicians and artists. I found this one in the children's department of my local library several years ago. It gives a good, solid background on Clara's life and her marriage to Robert Schumann. I recommend it to any young students of piano.

[Nicole Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I randomly picked this one up at the library from one of their displays. It was interesting to read about a woman musician who had such great success at a time when that was so uncommon. I also liked all of the pictures. Mostly it made me want to play more - music is such a powerful medium.

[Lark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This woman is AMAZING! I really admire Clara Schumann!I enjoyed reading this book because of who it is about.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story of a woman musician.

[Elsabet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. It was pretty, and I enjoyed all the pictures and photographs in it.