Robert Schumann was one of the most influential composers of the Romantic era, whose music expressed his inner emotions, fantasies, and struggles. He was also a pianist, a music critic, and a husband to Clara Schumann, a renowned pianist and composer herself. However, his life was marred by mental illness, which eventually led to his death at the age of 46. What was the cause of his death? How did his mental condition affect his life and work? And what legacy did he leave behind? This article will explore these questions and provide some insights into Robert Schumann’s life and death.
Contents
The Early Signs of Mental Illness
Robert Schumann was born in Zwickau, Germany, on June 8, 1810. He showed an early interest in music and literature, influenced by his father, who was a bookseller and a novelist. He started composing at the age of seven and studied piano with Friedrich Wieck, a famous teacher who later became his father-in-law. Schumann had a dream of becoming a virtuoso pianist, but he injured his right hand by using a mechanical device that was supposed to strengthen his fingers. He then devoted himself to composing, mainly for the piano.
Schumann’s first signs of mental illness appeared in 1833, when he suffered from a severe depressive episode after the death of his brother and sister-in-law. He also experienced periods of euphoria and creativity, which he attributed to the influence of two imaginary characters: Florestan and Eusebius. These characters represented the contrasting aspects of his personality: Florestan was impulsive, passionate, and adventurous, while Eusebius was calm, reflective, and dreamy. Schumann often used these characters as motifs in his music and as pseudonyms in his writings.
Schumann’s mental condition worsened in the following years, as he struggled with anxiety, insomnia, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts. He also developed a fear of metal objects, such as knives and scissors, and believed that he was being poisoned by mercury. He was diagnosed with dementia praecox (now known as schizophrenia), a disorder that causes delusions, paranoia, and disorganized thinking.
The Suicide Attempt and the Asylum
In 1840, Schumann married Clara Wieck, who was also his student and a musical prodigy. They had eight children and a happy marriage, despite the opposition of Clara’s father and Robert’s mental instability. Clara supported Robert’s career and helped him publish his works. She also performed his music in public and introduced him to other composers, such as Johannes Brahms, who became their close friend.
However, Schumann’s mental health deteriorated further in the 1850s. He became more withdrawn, irritable, and depressed. He also suffered from auditory hallucinations, hearing voices and musical sounds that tormented him. He believed that he was receiving messages from angels and demons through these sounds.
On February 27, 1854, Schumann attempted to kill himself by jumping into the Rhine River from a bridge in Düsseldorf. He was rescued by some boatmen and taken back to his home. He then asked to be taken to an asylum for the insane in Endenich (now part of Bonn), where he hoped to find some relief from his suffering.
Schumann spent the last two years of his life in the asylum, isolated from his family and friends. He was not allowed to see Clara or to receive any letters from her. He was only visited by Brahms and a few other acquaintances. He continued to compose sporadically until he became too weak and delirious.
The Cause of Death and the Legacy
Robert Schumann died on July 29, 1856, from pneumonia. His cause of death was officially recorded as “nervous exhaustion”. He was buried next to Clara in Bonn’s Old Cemetery.
Schumann’s death marked the end of a brilliant musical career that spanned over three decades. He composed over 200 works in various genres, including piano pieces, songs (lieder), symphonies, concertos, chamber music, choral music, and an opera. His music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, rhythmic complexity, and expressive use of motifs and symbols. His music also reflects his emotional states, his literary interests (such as Goethe , E.T.A. Hoffmann , Heinrich Heine , etc.), and his personal experiences.
Schumann’s music influenced many composers after him, such as Brahms , Chopin , Liszt , Mendelssohn , Tchaikovsky , Mahler , Debussy , Ravel , Berg , Schoenberg , etc. His music is still widely performed and appreciated today by musicians and listeners alike.
Robert Schumann cause of death was tragic but not uncommon for people who suffer from mental illness. His life and work show the struggles and the achievements of a musical genius who left a lasting legacy in the history of music. He was a man who lived for music and died for music. May he rest in peace.
