Robert Schumann's Place as a National Composer.--Peculiar Greatness as
a Piano-forte Composer.--Born at Zwickau in 1810.--His Father's
Aversion to his Musical Studies.--Becomes a Student of Jurisprudence
in Leipzig.--Makes the Acquaintance of Clara Wieck.--Tedium of his Law
Studies.--Vacation Tour to Italy.--Death of his Father, and Consent
of his Mother to Schumann adopting the Profession of Music.--Becomes
Wieck's Pupil.--Injury to his Hand which prevents all Possibilities of
his becoming a Great Performer.--Devotes himself to Composition.--The
Child, Clara Wieck--Remarkable Genius as a Player.--Her Early
Training.--Paganini's Delight in her Genius.--Clara Wieck's
Concert Tours.--Schumann falls deeply in Love with her, and Wieck's
Opposition.--His Allusions to Clara in the "Neue Zeitschrift."--Schumann
at Vienna.--His Compositions at first Unpopular, though played by Clara
Wieck and Liszt.--Schumann's Labors as a Critic.--He Marries Clara
in 1840.--His Song Period inspired by his Wife.--Tour to Russia, and
Brilliant Reception given to the Artist Pair.--The "Neue Zeitschrift"
and its Mission.--The Davidsbund.--Peculiar Style of Schumann's
Writing.--He moves to Dresden.--Active Production in Orchestral
Composition.--Artistic Tour in Holland.--He is seized with
Brain Disease.--Characteristics as a Man, as an Artist, and as a
Philosopher.--Mme. Schumann as her Husband's Interpreter.--Chopin
a Colaborer with Schumann.--Schumann on Chopin again.--Chopin's
Nativity.--Exclusively a Piano-forte Composer.--His _Genre_ as Pianist
and Composer.--Aversion to Concert-giving.--Parisian Associations.--New
Style of Technique demanded by his Works.--Unique Treatment of the
Instrument.--Characteristics of Chopin's Compositions.