Robert Schumann Pianos
The Schumann Piano company was a maker of only player and artistic, spinet and console pianos, of the highest quality. The company began in Chicago, and in 1903 moved to Rockford, Illinois. The president of the Schumann Piano company at during that time was Mr. Van Matre.
Vintage Schumann pianos could be found in several fine finishes and woods, including American walnut, African mahogany, blond mahogany, cherry, limed oak, and Salem maple. Schumann piano cases are simply beautiful, and the sound and tone of the pianos are extraordinary. This is due to the dowel pin construction of the sounding board, ribs and bridges, which eliminates any metal from coming in contact with them, assuring the sounding board of exceptional vibrating power.
Today, Schumann pianos are made by the Estey Piano Company.
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann (June 8th, 1810 - July 29th, 1856) was one of the worlds most famous romantic composers of the first half of the 1800's. Schumann was also a very talented pianist and music critic. He was born in Zwickau, Saxony in Germany to a father who was a publisher. Robert Schumann had a love for literature as well as music during his childhood.
Robert Schumann began composing music before the young age of seven, and by the age of fourteen had written a full essay on the beauty and philosophy of music. His father encouraged Schumanns musical pursuits, but died in 1826. Schumanns mother and guardian did not approve of his musical aspirations, so he went to Leipzig to study law.
Schumann retained his interest in music, and was inspired by the works of Franz Schubert and Felix Mendelssohn. It didn't take long for Schumann to decide he didn't want a career in law. He referred to himself as "Nature's pupil pure and simple" and began his career as a music composer.
By Christmas of 1830, Robert Schumann was Leipzig again, and taking piano lessons from Friedrich Wieck.
An injury or illness to his right hand forced him out of a piano playing career, and he then focused strictly on music composition. Some say the injury was sustained in Schumann's overzealous attitude toward trying to perfect his piano playing, but other rumors claim that the right-hand disability was caused by a medication he was taking for a syphilis infection.
By 1836, Robert Schumann already had an acquaintace with Clara Weick, daughter of his old piano master Frederick Wieck. It wasn't long before Robert fell in love with Clara, who was already a well known pianist at the time, and asked for her fathers permission to marry her, but her father said no. Robert and Clara tried to abide by her fathers wishes as long as possible, but were finally married against his wishes on September 12th of 1839 in Schönefeld near Leipzig, and Clara Weick was now known as Clara Weick Schumann.
Robert Schumann had many successes in life, and he also had many trials. In 1844 he began to show signs of what is now known as bi polar disorder. On February 27 1854 he jumped into the Rhine River and was rescued, but found to be insane and sent to a mental institution. The doctors records show that it was indeed the effects of tertiary syphilis, combined with mercury treatments for the syphilis that were the underlying cause of Robert Schumann's many physical and mental illnesses. He died a couple of years later on July 29th of 1856 and is buried at the Zentral Friedhof, Bonn. Robert's wife Clara then devoted her life to the interpretation of her husbands works.