When Clara Wieck was born in Leipzig, Germany, in 1819 her father, who was an acclaimed piano teacher, announced his intentions to make her the best pianist in the entire world. From the time she was a small child, she spent hours practicing every day and by age nine she was ready for her professional debut. While she was still a child, she met another gifted musician, Robert Schumann, whom she would one day marry. Her life, defined by music, has also been well documented, including here own diary that was started when Clara was seven years old. This meticulously researched biography is based mostly on primary documents: letters, diaries, concert programs, and newspapers from Schumann’s own time. (Age 11 and older)

A piano prodigy, Clara Schumann made her professional debut at the age of nine and had embarked on her first European concert tour by the time she was twelve. Clara charmed audiences with her soulful playing throughout her life. Music was a constant source of inspiration and support for this strong and resilient woman. After the death of her husband, Robert Schumann, Clara continued her brilliant career and supported their eight children. Clara Schumann's extraordinary story is supplemented with her letters and diary entries, some of which have never before been published in English. Gorgeous portraits and photographs show the members of Clara's famous musical community and Clara herself from age eight to seventy-six. Index, chronology.