Clara Schumann: Old Sources, New Readings

Abstract

T HE sense of trepidation felt in reexamining the sources of a scholarly, definitive biography may be recompensed by the fascination of new insights gained. All the published biographies of Clara Schumann (1819-1896) are founded on just such a work: Berthold Litzmann's family-authorized Clara Schumann. Ein Kiinstlerleben, published between 1902 and 1908.' This 1,459-page, three-volume document, invariably consulted by Robert Schumann scholars, is also valued for its information about the new-romantic school of the 1830s and 1840s and is a major source for the history of musical life throughout the nineteenth century. While working on a new biography of Clara Schumann, I reexamined Litzmann and the sources-letters, diaries, court orders, concert programs, and other papers-used by this tireless scholar in his monumental task.2 Study of the original papers was rewarding: it enabled the scholar to understand more fully the woman who was, at once, a leading concert artist, the wife of one great composer and the intimate friend of another, mother of eight children, composer, and teacher. The search through the materials consulted by Litzmann turned up information he had neglected or omitted-perhaps to protect the persons involved, perhaps at the request of the family,