Robert Schumann's Advice to Young Musicians

by Steven Isserlis

Robert Schumann was far ahead of his time, not least in his attitude to children and young people; his 'Advice for Young Musicians', originally created to accompany his famous 'Album for the Young', remains as relevant today as when it was written.

Celebrated cellist Steven Isserlis adds his own extensive commentary to Schumann's words of wisdom. The advice is by turns practical, humorous, and profound, making this volume a must for all aspiring musicians of all ages and standards.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Classical Music, Essays

104 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2016

Reviews

[Henry J · Rating 3 out of 5]

The advice from Schumann I found invaluable - even though it is a product of its time and Issserlis claims that it's not applicable now I believe it to be.

The narration, analysis and comments by Steven Isserlis were interesting, it both brought the comments to a realistic situation with uself biographical links however I did find some comments somewhat superficial.

[Anastasia]

μου λείπει το πιάνο και στενοχωριέμαι λίγο που δεν παίζω αλλά περισσότερο στενοχωριέμαι που ξεχνάω ότι μου λείπει το πιάνο (να ‘ναι καλά όσα φροντίζουν να μου το θυμίζουν)

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vanuit de aforismen van Robert Schumann, behalve componist ook een begenadigd pianist, dirigent en muziekcriticus, laat de heerlijke cellist Steven Isserlis zich inspireren om (jonge klassieke) muzikanten tips & tricks voor te schotelen die hij als topmuzikant ervaart en belangrijk vindt. Isserlis doet dat net zo heerlijk als zijn cellospel: lichtvoetig, maar aandachtig en met een oer-blitse tongue-in-cheek.

Schumann achterna is zijn 'revisited'-versie van diens 'Robert Schumann's Advice to Young Musicians: Revisited by Steven Isserlis' opgedeeld in 4 thema's: 'On being a musician', 'Playing', 'Practicing' en 'Composing'. Isserlis haalde er de naar zijn mening nog steeds actuele en zinvolle aforismen uit en geeft er telkens zijn commentaar op. Soms is dat relatief uitgebreid, inclusief anekdotes waarin hij zijn eigen kleine muzikantenkantjes niet spaart. Soms is dat niet meer dan één zin, zoals bv. hier: Schumann: 'If you are endowed with a good voice, do not hesitate to cultivar it - consider it the most valuable gift that heaven was granted you!' - Isserlis: 'I wouldn't know from personal experience ... out he's right of course (as always).'

Achteraan volgen nog twee hoofdstukjes. Een waarin Steven Isserlis nog een aantal eigen nuttige tips geeft voor hedendaagse jonge muzikanten en tenslotte de aforismen van Schumann die niet vernoemd werden. Ook hier kan de cellist het niet laten om af en toe nog een persoonlijke noot toe te voegen. Kortom: klein fijn boekje dat zeker een plaats verdient in muziekacademies en conservatoria. Ik kreeg het trouwens in een boekenantiquariaat zomaar cadeau bovenop mijn aankoop van een ander Isserlis-boek: Bach Cello Suites. 3,5*

[Steven Loy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful little book. Succinct and to the point, wisdom to be reminded of daily.

Schumann's advice here is more of a sounding board for Isserlis's own advice, but what great advice it is! And some of Schumann's recommendations are still very timely and relevant. Highly recommended for all musicians, not just young ones. As an educator, I will certainly be giving this one away at every opportunity.

[GC · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Schumann's poetic words of wisdom have just as much to teach us now as they did when they were first written, over 150 years ago.


Having played some Robert Schumann (Album für die Jugend), and grown to love his distinctive style, I was surprised to find he had written a pedagogical book. My high valuing of this short text is both for its content and its deepening my appreciation of him.

Schumann was one of the great Romantic composers. His biography swings from meeting the love of his life Clara Wieck, suffering a career ending hand injury, composing beautiful music to landing in a mental asylum. His more popular works include Kinderszenen, Kreisleriana and Carnaval.

In 'Advice to Young Musicians', we have personal instruction from the master. Steven Isserlis, who edits and includes commentary, splits Schumann's advice into four categories, which include playing and practicing. I will list some of my favourite pieces of advice:


'Nothing great in art can be achieved without enthusiasm.'
'Through diligent study and perseverance you will rise ever higher.'
'When you play, don't worry about who may be listening to you.'
'Do not judge a composition from a first hearing; that which appeals to you at an initial encounter is not always the best. The works of the masters need to be studied. Many things will not become clear to you till you have a reached a more advanced age.'
'Respect the old highly, but also take a warm interested in the new. Do not be prejudiced against names unknown to you.'
'Cultivation of the ear is of the greatest importance. Try right from the beginning to distinguish each tone and key. Find out the exact notes sounded by the bell, the window pane, the cuckoo, etc.'
'What does it mean to be 'musical'?... But you will be, if you can almost predict what is to follow in a new piece, or remember it an old one - that is to say, if you have music not only in your fingers , but also in your head and heart.'
'If your music comes from your heart and soul, and if you feel it inside yourself, it will affect others in the same way.'
'Do not aim for mere dexterity, or so-called 'bravura'. Try to recreate the spirit intended by the composer, nothingmore; anything else is a caricature. All mechanical brilliance fades over time; technical skill is of value only when it serves a higher purpose.'
'Dragging and rushing are both major faults.'
'Play strictly in time! The playing of many a virtuoso resembles the walk of a drunkard. Do not take sorts of performances as your models''
'Endeavour to play easy pieces well and beautifully; that is better than playing difficult pieces badly.'
'Play always as if in the presence of a master.'
'Never tinkle away! Always play with energy - and do not play a piece half-heartedly.'
'It is not only your fingers that should know your pieces; you should also be able to hum them away from your instrument. Sharpen your imagination to the extent that you remember not only the melody of a composition, but also the harmony that belongs to it.'
'If you are starting out on a composition, begin by working everything out in your head. Do not try out a piece on your instrument until you have fully conceived it in your mind.'
'Get to know the tone and character of the various instruments as soon as you can; try to impress their unique tone-colours on your ear.'


Schumann's advice precedes those found in 20th century books on piano technique. In particular, I have read in books by Karl Leimer, Heinrich Neuhaus and Josef Lhevvine that we should: cultivate the ear, respect the wishes of the composer and obey rhythm. All things Schumann noted a century earlier! This was a lovely find.

[Lenar Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Schumann’s Advice to Young Musicians • Revisited by Steven Isserils

The book is a good start of advices and some practical recommendations with slight humour for the composers, musicians and even aspiring ones, despite Schumann’s original book was more than a hundred and fifty years ago. Most of the advices I quite agree with, even applying to today’s contemporary music. It’s an interesting book that I would recommend to others as well. (5.0/5.0 LenarRatings)

[Naomi Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little book detailing a modern take on Schumann's advice for young musicians (the original was aimed a pianists). A little difficult to follow all of the advice but a valuable book nevertheless.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful modern translation and adaptation of the great Master's advice. Read a few weeks post hearing Isserlis play my favourite of Elgar's, the infamous cello concerto. Interesting to look back and see some of the advice read in practice!

[feebee Van Eeeee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to learn of Schumann's love of teaching and adoration of children, both of which are close to my own heart. His care and concern for the well-being of musicians in the world of classical music education is refreshing. An easy read, cute gift!

[Hatun Ozkul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice for budding young musicians and great reminders for those of us who have professionally trained. I really enjoyed Isserlis humorous writing style and many of his comments and viewpoints resonated with me. I am excited to reread this book when I am in need of motivation!

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential advice for all.

[Jessica-sim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Common sense does not make common practice.

Don't give up hope and keep playing, that's the motto here.

[Nathan Boler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very little Schumann in this book. Mostly full of annotations and additions from the cellist/author with the exact sort of humor you can expect from a cellist.

[Francesco Marcolini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro che vale la pena leggere per tutti i musicisti.

[Eliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Had a few interesting tips but I'm not sure if most young music students would appreciate or pick up on his pointers.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief and true.

[charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read, truth behind every joke and full of good reminders. Would be a book to go back to every so often.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, robert shumann annotated and written cellist Steven Isserlis has taken composer Robert Schumann's words of wisdom and incorporated them in a modern context and humourous context with his own commentary and thoughts. I enjoyed reading many of the wisdom that Shumann tried to teach to future musicians. For example, I enjoyed the quote of how "If everyone plays first violin, then there wouldn't be an orchestra. This allowed me to understand how each and everyone in an orhcetsra play and important role and peopel should value everyone. This is book is highly reccomanded to people who wants wise advice and hope to gain more lessons that they will remember for a lifetime.

[Judith G-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, good for a beginner musician of any age

[Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I found some of the commentary a bit annoying, the advice in this book is pretty sound and to the point. It's definitely written from a western classical perspective, but the main tenants still ring true regardless of your musical upbringing (this coming from a musician studying in the Indian classical tradition). As stated in the title, I think this book is good for kids/young people, and contains some good reminders for adults. However, if one seeks a bit more depth and philosophy I recommend checking out "The Mysticism of Sound and Music" by Hazrat Inayat Khan.

[Jairo Santana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! It contains Robert Schumann’s sage advices to musicians—technically young musicians, as in children, but it applies to every single person that considers themselves a musicians—and also the editor’s quirky yet wise comments. Something you can read in one comfortable sitting and you’ll be all the wiser by the end of it.

[Mills College Library]

780.1 I862 2017

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, sweet little read. I really appreciate this book.

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small book which suit me to read