Schumann House. Diaries (1841-1844)

Thanks, great tip.

Beautiful!

It is a beautiful book, moving and emotional.

Their dating ranges between September 13, 1841, and May 31, 1844. Initially, the two spouses alternated writing, taking one week each. Then, gradually, Robert withdraws more and more until he stops writing.

My favorite piece is this one, written by Clara on page 139; the date is November 24, 1842:

The 24th subscription concert. It is noted that Mendelssohn is conducting. Now we are also listening to some good vocal music. Finales, trios, etc.: today it was the turn of the Finale from "Così fan tutte," which enchanted me - dear Mozart! He must have truly had good intentions for the world; he does so much good to the heart and I have never listened to anything of his that has not elevated my spirit; this happens to all those who understand him. Beethoven's Eroica concluded the concert. Today the Marcia seemed to me the most beautiful part, solemn, grand, as always everything by Beethoven makes such an impression on me. I feel a completely personal sentiment for both these great masters, Beethoven and Mozart. I love Mozart in a particular way, but I venerate Beethoven like a God, yet an inaccessible God, who never becomes a part of us. Now Robert will think: "I have a goose for a wife who plays at being a poet, but she remains rather stupid." You are right, my love! If only heaven had given me as much intellect and spirit as it has instead given me the capacity to understand what is beautiful and noble, then it would be better.

thanks for sharing Daniele...

how beautiful. I would have a few things to say ... but what a great woman! What thoughts, and what tenderness towards her husband...

what I was thinking was: damn! ... everyone has their 'own'.

i once would have made this statement for Bach and Beethoven (I loved Beethoven in a particular way, and Bach was the inaccessible god)

Now no longer. I love them both in a particular way.

As far as tenderness is concerned, one must consider that we are in the early days and years of marriage and, usually, during that period everything is flowers and roses!

In any case, I am also firmly convinced that Clara Wiek as Schumann was a great and - if I may add - beautiful woman; after all, even Brahms noticed it!

On the subject of tenderness, I propose this piece dated October 10, 1840, almost a month after their marriage

Saturday always arrives as a day particularly dear to me! It makes me think that another week of marital happiness has passed... For me, there is no week that has passed as quickly as these last four. Things must not continue like this, otherwise we will end up finding ourselves aged and grey without knowing how!

I chatter about stupid things, don't I, my dear Robert? - But if, according to our agreement, I write everything that comes to mind at the moment, then I cannot avoid nonsense; you will understand this and will not be severe in judging your wife. (...)

Since I cannot disturb you now in your study, allow me, my dear husband, to conclude this week by giving you, at least in thought, a tender kiss. Being yours makes me happier every day, and if it happens that sometimes I appear dissatisfied, it is only due to scruples that assail me - and most of the time I am unhappy with myself. I wish to be worthy of standing by your side - and I hope you will not hold this against me.

As for the great Bach, however, here is what Clara thought, which she wrote on January 21, 1841:

(...) the "historical" concerts dedicated to Bach and Handel have begun. There is nothing to say except that there were too many beautiful things. Bach's chromatic fantasy and fugue, and in the second part Handel's Variations which are of a unique beauty, while the Fantasy remains decidedly foreign to me. It is a chaos of passages that give me no musical pleasure.

The Chaconne (which properly means Chaconne?) I liked very much (...).

But according to Robert, the best moments of the evening were the Crucifixus, Resurrexit, and Sanctus from the Mass in B minor, which I also liked very much. Handel must not have been as much to his liking after Bach - Bach is too great, truly unreachable.(...)

Open content (youtube)

Open content (youtube)

Ciaccona

Thank you very much Daniele, my wife will give it to me during the week... beautiful and how useful.

Clara was truly a great pianist; it is moving to discover this ingenuity and simplicity of expression in such a great female talent. In the nineteenth century, as in other eras, it was rare for a woman to be able to dedicate her life to art (for women, academies only opened their doors towards the end of the century) and so I associate Clara with the figure of Berthe Morisot, an Impressionist painter who worked passionately alongside Manet, Renoir, Degas etc.

Great esteem for these heroines of the past.