His music helped define the sound and direction of the Romantic period of the 19th century across different forms; like music for piano, song, chamber music, and symphonies. John Banther and Linda Carducci talk about characteristics to listen for in his music, why he became a composer, and how literature played a part in his works. 

Show Notes

The birthplace and childhood home of R. Schumann in Zwickau (Saxony, Germany)

By André Karwath aka Aka - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41284

(By André Karwath aka Aka - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41284)

Notable performances of Schumann's music

Fantasy in C major, Op. 17 (performed by Nelson Freire)

Frauenliebe und Leben, op. 42 (Jaime Korkos, mezzo-soprano)

Piano Quartet in E flat Major, Op.47 (Daishin Kashimoto, Violin, Gilad Karni, Viola, Sol Gabetta, Cello, Nelson Goerner, Piano)

Symphony No. 3 (»Rheinische«)(hr-Sinfonieochester, Marek Janowski conducting)