Symphony No. 1 (Schumann) Symphony No. 1 (Schumann) The Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major, Op. 38, also known as the Spring Symphony, is the first symphonic work composed by Robert Schumann. Although he had made some "symphonic attempts" in the autumn of 1840 soon after he married Clara Wieck, he did not compose his first symphony until early 1841. Until then, Schumann was largely known for his works for the piano and for voice. Clara encouraged him to write symphonic music, noting in her diary, "it would be best if he composed for orchestra; his imagination cannot find sufficient scope on the piano...
Marie Wieck Marie Wieck Marie Wieck (January 17, 1832 – November 2, 1916) was a German pianist, singer, piano teacher, and composer. She was the daughter of renowned piano teacher Friedrich Wieck, and the sister of Clara Schumann who was some 12 years older. Marie was born in Leipzig. She was trained from an early age in piano and voice by her father Friedrich. Marie's first public appearance was in 1842, when she and her sister Clara performed at a concert in Dresden. She later performed with her father at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. An eminent singer and pianist, Wieck sang in