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The Life and Music of Clara Schumann

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast

CHAPTER

Clara Schumann's Delora Lai

In 1854, just one year after Mine Brahms and after this remarkable burst of inspiration where she wrote 16 pieces in one year, Robert Schumann attempted suicide by throwing himself into the Rhine River. He was taken to an asylum where he would live in a complete state of mental breakdown for the next two years. Clara continued to perform throughout this time relentlessly with observers noting that she would go on stage to perform and then immediately upon getting off the stage, dissolve into convulsive sobbing. She wrote herself, quote, I could do nothing but weep aloud from morning till night, and then I went to the concert. It all went very well.

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