Robert Schumann and Mascot Ziff

Great Musicians

by Opal Wheeler, Christine Price (Illustrator)

Robert Schumann lived happily and pleasantly from the time he was a little boy, playing with his beloved cat, Ziff, in his home village in Saxony, until he became the famous composer, friend of Mendelssohn, Chopin, and Liszt. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he had few major problems to overcome. His work, his family life, all brought him the reward of renown and joy. Even the stiff finger which virtually ended his career as a musician was the means of emphasizing his genius as a composer. Opal Wheeler has written a most engaging story for children of this great man s life, and the carefully chosen selections from his compositions which have been added make this a distinguished acquisition to any young reader s library."

Genres: Music, Biography, Childrens

167 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

Reviews

[Isabella Leake · Rating 4 out of 5]

We haven't read an Opal Wheeler book we didn't like, but this one was something special! The story just reads really well. Perhaps it's so effective because Schumann's life (well, aspects of it) is child-friendly in a storybook-dramatic kind of way: his reminiscences from childhood tell a lovely story, as do scenes from his family life in adulthood.

As with all the Wheeler biographies, the narrative quietly skips over the uncomfortable facts of Schumann's life, such as his illness, institutionalization, and death (her biographies always end with the composer near the end of his life but still living!). There is obviously much more to explore of the man and his music after this book, but I love that Schumann has joined Bach, Haydn, and Beethoven as a household name, that my children now share my enthusiasm for this composer, and that, though they don't know much of his music yet, they love "Robert" like a friend.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book includes most of Schumann's Album For the Young songs, some of them are edited to be easier for young fingers. The songs are woven together with the story of Schumann's life and introduced as he writes them for his own children.

[Cailyn Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good for music lovers

[Erin Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thinking Day 2023--Germany