Clara Schumann

Clara Josephine Schumann was a German pianist, composer, and piano teacher, celebrated as one of the leading pianists of the Romantic era. Over a 61-year concert career, she transformed the piano recital, focusing less on virtuosity and more on substantial works. She composed piano pieces, a piano concerto, chamber music, choral works, and songs. Born in Leipzig, Clara was a child prodigy trained by her father. She toured from age eleven and married composer Robert Schumann, with whom she had eight children and supported the careers of Johannes Brahms and others. Following Robert's death, she continued touring and teaching, later working at Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium in Frankfurt. She died in Frankfurt but was interred in Bonn.