Robert Schumann57

1810-1856

born in Zwickau

was interested in literature-this would impact compositions

wrote poems and short biographies of other composers

studied law at the University of Leipzig

studied piano with Friedrich Wieck

• wanted to be a concert pianist, but muscle issues prevented it

suffered from depression

founded the Neue Leipziger Zeitschrift für Musik magazine

wrote 4 vocal chamber opuses, 27 part songs for men, 12 part songs for women, 19 choral & orchestral works, and 36 part songs for mixed voices

changed the form of the oratorio to a choral/orchestral work with more recitative-like parts