Schumann: Fantasy

Throughout Schumann’s music he makes very obvious references to people and influences he has had in his life, more so than many other composers do. To understand his music it is important to understand his life, and the relationships he had. The most influential person on Schumann’s music was undoubtedly Clara Wieck. She was the daughter of his first piano teacher. Schumann was in contact with Clara a lot since he had lived in the same household with her as he studied with her father. In 1835 Schumann came to the realization that he was in love with Clara. When her father discovered this he forced Clara and Robert to be separated. The next few years to come would be some of Robert’s most successful years of composing music. During this time he wrote arguably one of the most moving works he ever wrote, the Fantasy in C. It was written in 1838 when he was separated from Clara. This would explain where the intense emotion from this piece came from. It uses a repeated descending 5-note pattern that references to Clara. He even writes that there is a secret song in the second movement, which again, is intended for Clara. In order to capture the correct character of this piece it is important to realize what was happening in Schumann’s life at the time and the longing and desire he was feeling.