The renowned German composer Robert Schumann turns 200 today. National Public Radio's Morning Edition featured an interesting story on the composer, noting the influence of his wife and muse Clara Wieck, as well as his struggles with mental illness.

A prolific composer who explored many forms, Schumann exerted considerable influence in the nineteenth century and
beyond.

The Port Townsend Chamber Music Festival's July 15 concert with the Calder Quartet and Lucinda Carver, showcases Schumann's most famous chamber music composition, the Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44. 

Centrum's Artistic Director for Chamber Music, Lucinda Carver, discusses this work, as well as other elements of the Festival over on our Chamber Music site.

NPR has an audio sample of the Quintet's third movement, Scherzo. Molto vivace, on their website.