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gkillian's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
A compelling biography for a composer I have admired and will continue to do so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Suicide attempt
ladykitsugo's review
4.0
A Glimpse Behind An Unspoken Mask
For some one who knows very little about Schumann (and almost mistaking him for Franz Schubert), I was genuinely surprised but how interesting and detailed this biography goes in both the musical and personal life of one of the early Romantics of this age. It's a tale filled with passion, romance, melancholy and cameos from every composer from Liszt to Brahms and many in between (particularly a fantastic look into Schumann's relations with Mendelssohn). I highly suggest if you haven't listened to any of Schumann's pieces that you may have some playing in the background as you read (it makes the technical conversation a little easier to understand). Overall while I do find aspects of Schumann himself a little uneasy at times, especially in his earlier life, this has been one of the fulfilling biographies I have read in some time
For some one who knows very little about Schumann (and almost mistaking him for Franz Schubert), I was genuinely surprised but how interesting and detailed this biography goes in both the musical and personal life of one of the early Romantics of this age. It's a tale filled with passion, romance, melancholy and cameos from every composer from Liszt to Brahms and many in between (particularly a fantastic look into Schumann's relations with Mendelssohn). I highly suggest if you haven't listened to any of Schumann's pieces that you may have some playing in the background as you read (it makes the technical conversation a little easier to understand). Overall while I do find aspects of Schumann himself a little uneasy at times, especially in his earlier life, this has been one of the fulfilling biographies I have read in some time
musicdeepdive's review
4.0
Very very good bio that only suffers slightly from a desire to be accessible that limits how deep it goes into certain areas of the composer's life.
doiread's review
4.0
Excellent biography. I like how Chernaik also talks about the music he wrote in relation to where he was at the time. It really helps understand the music better too
coreyk's review
5.0
Excellent, riveting account of Schumann's life and work. Chernaik does a perfect job of blending biographical information with analysis of Schumann's music. You also gain a deeper understanding of his love for Clara and her's for him. This is everything a biography should be.
juliemichellereads's review
5.0
Good book. Very factual. I always wish biographies went more into their personalities and I feel she did a good job painting who he was as a person as an affect of his composing style through the different stages in his life. I learned a lot about his inspirations, his political views (only a little bit), and his relationships with those around him. Worthwhile read and one I will revisit again later on in life.
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