A celebration of Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856)

The online magazine http://www.kulturfinder-bw.de, in its report on commemoration days and anniversaries in Baden-Württemberg: http://www.kulturfinder-bw.de/index.php?id=90, expressly highlighted the “exemplary” activities of the Schumann Network which as early as 2009 tuned in on the 200th day of birth of Robert Schumann in 2010, through calendars and a preview of the year to come.

In 2010, to mark the occasion of the 200th day of birth of Robert Schumann, born on 8th June 1810 in Zwickau as the sixth and youngest child of August Schumann, a writer, bookseller and publisher, and his wife Christiane, particular emphasis was placed on Robert Schumann and his music all over the world. Schumann had already been dignified in 2006 in commemoration of his day of death 150 years ago, with ground-breaking exhibitions and publications and, of course, with the respective programme priorities in public concert life. Both in 2007 and 2008, for example, pioneering scenic performances were given at the Zurich Opera House, of “SzenenausGoethes Faust” [“Scenes from Goethe’s Faust”] (conductor: Franz Welser-Möst; direction and stage design: Hermann Nitsch) - cf. Culture online - and of “Genoveva” (conductor: NikolausHarnoncourt, direction: Martin Kusej) - cf. ART-TV Sondage,which not only were great successes with the public but also received extensive reception and coverage by the media.

For 2010, the Schumann towns had prepared a superb Schumann programme, with emphasis also placed on timing and contents in coordination among themselves. Although particular attention is turned on the activities of the network members in the Schumann portal, and that the Schumann network, on the whole, is eager to geta great response to its “own” events, the fundamental concept of both the network and its portal was and is to provide an overview of as many offers and activities as possible with regard to Robert (and Clara) Schumann. 

For this reason, cooperation with other institutions and establishments was and is also very important to the Schumann network. In the calendar of events for 2010 (see above) and in the online preview of events, which is always updated, all events relating to Schumann one way or another “all over the world” are presented. 

In 2010, over 2.5 million visitors from all over the world looked up the Schumann portal: www.schumannportal.de and the special page: www.schumannjahr2010.de

(I.B., translated by Thomas Henninger)