1878-1896 Frankfurt

(source: http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Frankfurt_Am_Main-Leinwandhaus-1880.jpg Wikipedia)

In 1878 Clara Schumann accepted the invitation of the Dr. Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt am Main to become the first and at first only woman to teach there. Director Joachim Raff told another lady that asked for employment that Madame Schumann is an exception and therefore values as a gentleman. But already in 1880 he changed his point of view and already employed two female lecturers.

In the same year Raff arranged composing classes for women, presumably the first of their kind in Germany. Clara Schumann was privileged in many ways, just because of her reputation: She gave the lessons in her own apartment, and she also was able and allowed to go on concert tours anytime. Pianists from the United States, Italy, Great Britain, Austria and Germany came to Frankfurt to take classes with Clara Schumann. Her daughters Marie and Eugenie assisted her, because Clara only accepted advanced piano students. Beside the classes she spent time on editorial projects such as the publishing of the letters by young Robert Schumann and the complete edition of his works by Breitkopf & Härtel. The correspondence with the publishing company and the advisory correspondence with Brahms and others took a lot of time. Of course Clara Schumann gave private concerts in her house in Myliusstraße 32, especially when Brahms, Joachim or Stockhausen came to visit. Her students were also welcome to attend these occasions.