The Cambridge Companion to Schumann

As with others in this series, this book is principally for scholars, despite its claim to be not only a textbook for music students but also suitable for both the connoisseur and music lover. It is, however, mostly very readable for the amateur, but those wanting a general life of Schumann might prefer something less meaty.

The opening account of Schumann's life by the editor distils a lot of the fact and myth that has grown over the 150 years since his death. It is readable yet scholarly, drawing together all the threads of this short but complex life. We...