The composer

Before 1840, Robert Schumann had composed largely for the piano, producing works such as Carnaval, Davidsbündlertänze and Kinderszenen. But then, in the year of his 30th birthday, he turned to songwriting. The masterpieces to flow from his pen during his ‘Year of song’ included two Liederkreis cycles that set Heine and Eichendorff, Dichterliebe and Frauen-liebe und Leben. Though he didn’t abandon song after that, orchestral and chamber music started to occupy him, and the first of his four symphonies was completed in 1841.