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Book Review
Sep. 24th, 2012 01:56 pmClara Schumann: The Artist and the Woman
by Nancy B. Reich
This biography of Clara Schumann was really interesting, and very well-written. It focuses primarily on the events of Schumann's life, with only minimal technical discussion of her compositions. I do wish that there had been more detail about her life after Robert's death, but, to be fair, her and Robert's courtship and marriage probably were the most complex events in both of their lives. Nonetheless, this book still provides a very well-rounded and balanced view of her life.
I especially liked the second part of the book, where Reich explores the different aspects of Schumann's life: composer, concert pianist, teacher, mother, etc. Reich provides examinations of how Schumann conducted these parts of her life, how these activities influenced later musicians, and how they fit into or contrasted with nineteenth century musical life and social constructs. Best of all, Reich consistently views and presents Clara Schumann as an artist in her own right, and never just as a composer's wife. Clara Schumann was a very influential and important artist and Reich's biography treats her as such.
by Nancy B. Reich
This biography of Clara Schumann was really interesting, and very well-written. It focuses primarily on the events of Schumann's life, with only minimal technical discussion of her compositions. I do wish that there had been more detail about her life after Robert's death, but, to be fair, her and Robert's courtship and marriage probably were the most complex events in both of their lives. Nonetheless, this book still provides a very well-rounded and balanced view of her life.
I especially liked the second part of the book, where Reich explores the different aspects of Schumann's life: composer, concert pianist, teacher, mother, etc. Reich provides examinations of how Schumann conducted these parts of her life, how these activities influenced later musicians, and how they fit into or contrasted with nineteenth century musical life and social constructs. Best of all, Reich consistently views and presents Clara Schumann as an artist in her own right, and never just as a composer's wife. Clara Schumann was a very influential and important artist and Reich's biography treats her as such.
