Trio of Devotion : The Schumanns and Brahms: A Musical Triangle of Love and Undying Friendship

Robert Schumann and Clara Wieck were drawn to each other the moment they met, but there were obstacles in the way.

Clara was ten years younger and her domineering father, Friedrich Wieck, Robert's piano teacher, was against their relationship as it developed over the years.

He saw Robert as a dissolute womaniser, and he saw his own reflected glory disappearing if Clara's career prospects as a pianist diminished.

But the couple did marry, with help from the judiciary, and had a happy life together, so happy that their increasing number of children did indeed hamper Clara's performing opportunities.

Then a young composer, Johannes Brahms, came into their household as a disciple of Schumann and nothing would ever be the same again.

About The Author Christopher Morley is Chief Music Critic of the Birmingham Post, and contributes to several international magazines.

Schumann has always been very special to him, and a visit to the asylum in which the composer died made a huge impression upon him.