Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumannwas a German composer and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. He had been assured by his teacher Friedrich Wieck that he could become the finest pianist in Europe, but a hand injury ended this dream. Schumann then focused his musical energies on composing...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionComposer
Date of Birth8 June 1810
CityZwickau, Germany
CountryGermany
The principal mark of genius is not perfection, but originality.
Music owes as much to Bach as religion to its founder.
I was a God-fearing child, innocent and physically attractive.
Think it a vile habit to alter works of good composers, to omit parts of them, or to insert new-fashioned ornaments. This is the greatest insult you can offer to Art.
The aesthetic principle is the same in every art, only the material differs.
My symphonies would have reached Opus 100 if I had but written them down... Sometimes I am so full of music, and so overflowing with melody, that I find it simply impossible to write down anything.
You will be most readily cured of vanity or presumption by studying the history of music, and by hearing the master pieces which have been produced at different periods.
We shouldn't repeat the same for ages on end, but look into the new as well.
You write to become immortal, or because the piano happens to be open, or you've looked into a pair of beautiful eyes.
In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of.
Without enthusiasm nothing great can be effected in art.
From a pound of iron, that costs little, a thousand watch-springs can be made, whose value becomes prodigious. The pound you have received from the Lord,--use it faithfully.
Endeavour to play easy pieces well and with elegance; that is better than to play difficult pieces badly.
When you play, do not trouble yourself as to who is listening. Yet always play as though a master listened to you.