Clara Schumann was fond of playing her husband's music. In Russia, the people liked one of Mendelssohn's compositions better than anything else that she played. It was the _Spring Song_, one of the beautiful _Songs without Words_. So delighted were the people when she played it, that they called for it again and again. The emperor demanded it three times.
Outside of his own home Robert Schumann was a very silent man. It is said that he once went to a friend's house, entered the music room with a friendly nod, went straight to the piano, and opened it, softly whistling the while. Seating himself, he played a few chords, followed by a charming melody, closed the piano, and walked out, nodding his head in a friendly way. Then off he went without a word to any one.
Although at different times Schumann lived in various cities, most of his compositions were written in Leipzig. He was a hard worker, in one year writing thirty pieces of music. Some of his well-known compositions are _The Pilgrimage of the Rose_, the music for _Faust_, and the music for Byron's _Manfred_.
In 1845 Schumann was obliged to leave Leipzig on account of failing health. He chose Dresden for his home. He heard no music, for his doctor had forbidden it. He led a very quiet life, seeing few friends. It was at that time that he made the acquaintance of Richard Wagner. At the end of the year his health was much improved. He took up his work once more and wrote his second symphony.
During the next eight years Schumann wrote many beautiful compositions. He lost much time, however, on account of ill-health.
Two years before his death, Schumann and his wife took a trip through Holland. The composer was very much pleased to find that the Dutch people knew his music and loved it well.
On his return to the Fatherland, his health failed utterly. His mind, which had not been strong for some time, grew weaker day by day. During the last months of his life he spent much time at his beloved piano. He died in 1856 and was buried in Bonn.
God sent his singers upon earth With songs of gladness and of mirth, That they might touch the hearts of men And bring them back to heaven again.
[Music: (Hark, Hark! the Lark.) Hark, hark! the lark at Heav'n's gate sings, And Phœbus 'gins to rise.]