WFCC

Classical Fact

Robert Schumann had enrolled in the University of Leipzig to study law, but soon found himself more interested in his music and philosophy classes. He began taking piano lessons with the prominent teacher, Friedrich Wieck. Wieck's twelve-year-old daughter, Clara, was already an accomplished pianist who toured Europe and would be hailed as a leading virtuoso. Robert and Clara grew to know each other well, and love each other deeply, to the horror of Clara's father. Friedrich Wieck's refusal to allow the couple to marry led Schumann to employ his legal acumen in a lawsuit against Clara's father, forcing him to permit Schumann to court and marry Miss Wieck. The court's judgment came down in favor of Schumann, one day before Clara's twenty-first birthday.