Nocturne: Clara Schumann

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Nocturne in F major, Clara Schumann

This day in 1896, marks the death of the pianist and composer, Clara Schumann. Listen to this beautiful nocturne, performed by Lucy Parham:


A musical 'nocturne' is a composition which is inspired by or evocative of the night. The form originated with the Irish composer John Field, who published the first set of nocturnes in 1814. 

Clara Schumann

Encouraged by her father, Clara studied piano from the age of five and by 1835 (aged 16), she had established a reputation throughout Europe as a child prodigy. In 1838 (aged 19), she was honoured by the Austrian court and was elected to the prestigious Society of the Friends of Music (Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde) in Vienna. 

Despite strong objections from her father, she married Robert Schumann in 1840 in 1840 (aged 21), and they had eight children between 1841 and 1854. Though family responsibilities curtailed her career, she taught at the Leipzig Conservatory, composed and toured frequently. 

Female composer Clara Schumann let her opinions be known ...
Clara Schumann, née Clara Josephine Wieck (September 13 1819, Leipzig - May 20 1896, Frankfurt am Main) 

Starting in 1853, the Schumanns developed a close professional and personal relationship with the composer Johannes Brahms, which Clara maintained after her husband's death in 1856. Clara (similarly to Frances Purcell) edited the collected edition of her husband's works. Aside from piano works, her own compositions include works for orchestra (among them a piano concerto), chamber music and songs. 

Clara Schumann suffered a stroke on 26 March 1896, and died on 20 May at age 76. She was buried in Bonn at Alter Friedhof next to her husband, according to her own wish. 

Bilderbuch Bonn - Alter Friedhof - Robert und Clara Schumann


Sources: Encyclopedia Britannica, Wikipedia

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