Schyumann's Battle For Sanity Research Paper Samples

In examining his mental illness and the impact it had on his music, as well as on his professional and domestic life, it becomes evident that there was a profound influence in many regards. From his early life as a young intellectual, to the deaths that he endured throughout his life, to the loss of his hopes at a career as a concert musician, he dealt with various personal issues that only served to exacerbate any preexisting conditions. These conditions, in a sense, affected his performances as well as the compositions that he created.
The son of a book publisher and writer, Schuman was exposed to classical literature, music, and culture at a young age. Although his father did not wish for him to study music, he became fascinated by the joy that he got out of playing it. He therefore developed the knack for artistic expression as well as musical composition very early on. This, in a sense, led him to an in depth understanding of the intricacies of musical composition.
In his early teens, he even published books on music aesthetics. He was seen by his peers as being ahead of his age in terms of intelligence and academic ability. While he was pushed to pursue a life as a lawyer, he felt an affinity for the more creative aspects of academic pursuit. For this reason, he began to pursue music as a career. He wished to play music, and his talents were good enough for him to do so.
This ability, though, was most likely the source of a mental illness that would haunt him for his entire life. “Although the neurobiological origins of this disorder are not yet completely clarified, it is probable that musicians’ dystonia is in most cases due to dysfunctional (or maladaptive) brain plasticity.” (Altenmuller 9) He was seen as being a profoundly intellectual individual for his age, and was seen to have a great potential. This genius was probably a part of the reason that he would develop a mental illness that would affect him for the rest of his life.
It was this creativity that probably, in a sense, exacerbated the mental conditions that he suffered from throughout his life. “Intense creative activity almost always led to periods of severe depression, during which Robert was unable to work.” (Gates 4) This, in turn, led to the depreciation of his musical ability and his musical career as a whole.
The inherent creative mind that he had was subject to the detriments of mental illness, and the mental illness that he dealt with throughout his life had a profound impact upon his creative ability. In the end, it culminated in his inability to create. This relationship can be seen in an examination of his life and work.
Along with his creative abilities, the deaths of two close family members most likely created deep psychological wounds that would have an impact upon his work. “In the diary he started early in 1827 (Tage des Jünglinglebens) Schumann recorded his painful reactions to the deaths of his father (from a nervous disorder) and of his 19-year-old sister Emilie (probably suicide) in the summer of 1826.” (Grove) This, coupled with an injury that he sustained in an unknown fashion which would cripple his potential for a successful career in being a concert pianist.
Starting out as a promising young musician, Robert Schuman became a composer when he sustained an injury to his hand that would no longer allow him to perform. “A gradual shift in Schumann's view of himself, from composer-pianist to composer-critic, was precipitated by a physical complaint that was variously described in letters and diaries as an ‘ever-worsening weakness’ or ‘laming’ of the middle finger of his right hand, which became a source of ‘inner struggles’ beginning in October 1831.” (Grove)
It seems that he may have tried various ill-advised medical practices, such as surgery on his hand, in order to alleviate this condition. This shows his devotion to being a musician, and his inability to overcome this physical condition probably only led to further psychological issues. These issues would eventually lead to a deteriorating condition that would have a profound impact upon his works.
In 1836 the coinciding death of his mother along with the forced separation with his love interest, Clara, had an impact upon his works as well. His works at this point in time seem to be a reflection of his coming out of this despair in the near future. “In December 1836 Schumann experienced something of a reawakening from the abject despair to which he had succumbed the year before.” At this time, his work begins to be recognized on a broader level, while at the same time, he reestablishes his relationship with Clara. In a few years, they are even able to get engaged.
This turn of events inspires his works in a positive light, however, the refusal of her father to give his blessing sent him into turmoil once more. Clara, now his wife, who many of his songs are attributed the inspiration for, was also a concert musician. It is thought that he had a resentment for the fact that her career had become more well-known than his own. “she supported her husband emotionally, artistically and often financially during the five years they lived in Dresden.” (Gates 5) These circumstances, his being taken care of by his wife whom he had formerly mentored, must have been very difficult for him.
Although he continued to work, it was marked by his issues, and it seems that the inspirations that he had felt earlier on in his life had turned against him. Instead of seeing things as beautiful and uplifting, he began to have deep fears and paranoia about impending darkness. Near the end of his life, Schumann began to have symptoms that indicated some type of mental illness. This illness seems to have had a profound impact upon his work as well as his personal life. Although historians don’t quite agree as to what exactly caused his mental illness, it is evident that he at least realized that he was getting worse at the time.
After attempting suicide, Schumann committed himself to be incarcerated in a sanatorium. He remained here until his death. There are many theories as to what exactly caused his mental illness. Some scholars believe that he contracted syphilis at a young age and was taking doses of mercury in order to combat the symptoms. Another idea is that he might have had some type of tumor or cyst that was effecting him on a neurological level. This is evidenced by his ability to have musical visions.
The mental illnesses that Schumann dealt with throughout his life had a profound impact upon the compositions that he created. His wife continued to interpret his work after his death, performing his inspirations for others to hear. It seems that she did not prefer those pieces that he had created after succumbing to his illnesses. This is an example of how deeply his psychological state had an impact upon the works that he created.

Works Cited

Altenmüller, Eckart. Robert Schumann’s Focal Dystonia. Institute for Music Physiology and
Musicians’ Medicine, Hannover University of Music and Drama, Hannover, Germany.
2005.
Gates, Eugene. The Kapralova Society Journal. A Journal of Women in Music. Vol. 7. Iss. 2.
2009.
Rasmussen, Michelle. Robert and Clara Schumann, And Their Teacher, J.S. Bach. EIR Culture.
2010.
The New Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd Edition. 2001.