Becoming Clara Schumann by Alexander Stefaniak - 9780253058287

Indiana University Press

Discover the groundbreaking career of Clara Schumann, a celebrated pianist and influential figure in classical music. "Becoming Clara Schumann" by Alexander Stefaniak explores her extensive concert tours, strategic career management, and significant role in shaping musical aesthetics and canonization. This in-depth biography draws on a wealth of primary sources, including concert programs and performance reviews, to illuminate Schumann's journey from a renowned virtuoso to a key architect of musical culture. Learn how she navigated the gendered boundaries of her era to cultivate her public image, craft her own concert programs, and achieve extraordinary success as a performer, composer, and teacher. This book offers a comprehensive look at Schumann's six-decade career, detailing her approach to performance, composition, and education. It reveals her as a master strategist who not only performed approximately 1,300 concerts across Europe but also played a vital part in the canonization of her husband's music. Product Summary: Indiana University Press book on Clara Schumann's musical career, focusing on performance strategies and aesthetics within the context of the musical canon. Authored by Alexander Stefaniak, this English language paperback details Schumann's extensive concert history and her influence on classical music.