One of the most mysterious and controversial events in the history of what is considered "classical" music, was the love triangle between Schumann, Brahms, and Clara, the daughter of Wieck. Was it really a love triangle?
Robert Schumann was a German composer who mainly published works for the piano. His most important and significant works were also written for the piano. When Clara Wieck, a famous pianist and composer, was 11, Schumann started to go to her house for piano lessons from her father Friederich Wieck. He realized that he loved her when Clara was 16 years old. Despite the objection of her father, Clara married Schumann the year she turned 21 and Schumann turned 30.
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| Robert Schumann |
They lived happily while both pursuing their musical careers until Schumann's depression and moodiness resulted in a mental breakdown. Later on, he even threw himself into the Rhine River, but was rescued by fishermen. At this, Clara felt that she did not have any choice but to place him in a mental asylum. Schumann lingered there for two years, then died.
Five months before Schumann's mental collapse, he and Clara often invited Brahms to their house. They offered their friendship as well as a place for him to live and compose without having to worry about his economical situation. For Brahms, his relationship with Schumann and Clara provided many opportunities for his musical career. After the mental collapse of Schumann, Brahms comforted Clara during the difficult times and also fell in love with her. He wrote that "You have taught me to marvel at the nature of love, affection, and self denial. I can do noting but think of you." Clara was fourteen years older and had 7 children, but according to Brahms, "her amazing musicality and devotion to music made her the ideal woman."
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| Johannes Brahms |
This event has been discussed by many people over the years, and is still a controversial issue that is a common topic of debate, but I'll leave the decision up to you. Was there a love triangle between Clara, Brahms, and Schumann?
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| Clara Wieck |
