(ˈroʊ bɛrt ˈʃu mɑn)
Born Friday, June 8, 1810
Died Tuesday, July 29, 1856
Robert Schumann was a German composer and an influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. He had been assured by his teacher Friedrich Wieck, a German pianist, that he could become the finest pianist in Europe, but a hand injury ended this dream. Schumann then focused his musical energies on composing.