Correspondenz Sonderheft II

Aside from the events and encounters in the lives of Clara and Robert Schumann as well as the environment they lived in, one thing that is of particular interest to the visitors of last residence shared by the entire family in the Bilker Straße in Düsseldorf, is what happened to the Schumann children later on in their lives. An interest that is quite understandable considering the location, since it is not only the sole dwelling house of the Schumanns whose basic structure is still preserved to this day, but also that in which all of the seven children lived. The youngest son Felix was even born there. These questions are prompted even more by the endearing photo of all the children except Julie, which was placed on Schumann's desk at the sanatorium in Endenich.

Gerd Nauhaus, currently without doubt the most competent Schumann adept and researcher, could be convinced to work out a lecture specifically on the topic of the Schumann children. Accompanied by appropriate graphical material and musical renditions, he gave his lecture several times in varying locations, which was met with great enthusiasm by the audience each and every time. Due to the repeated encouragement by his listeners to publish a written version of his speech, this Special Issue II of the periodical Correspondenz was created. The bilingual nature of this publication will especially delight those foreign Schumann enthusiasts who take a particular interest in the Schumann children during their trips to Germany.

The numerous pictures of the Schumann children, some of which were unknown up until today, were provided mostly by the Robert-Schumann-Haus Zwickau. The volume is complemented by a bibliography of pertinent literature as well an index of persons. (Transl. Florian Obrecht)