Spring Symphony (1983)

Chronicles the illustrious 19th-century love affair between composer Robert Schumann and pianist Claire Weick.

Director:

Peter Schamoni

Writer:

Peter Schamoni

Stars:

Nastassja Kinski, Herbert Grönemeyer, Rolf Hoppe

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nastassja Kinski	...	Clara Wieck
Rolf Hoppe	...	Friedrich Wieck
Herbert Grönemeyer	...	Robert Schumann
Anja-Christine Preussler	...	Clara as a Child
Edda Seippel	...	Schumann's mother
André Heller	...	Felix Mendelssohn
Gidon Kremer	...	Paganini
Bernhard Wicki	...	Baron von Fricken
Gerda Rimpler	...	Baronin von Fricken
Sonya Tuchmann	...	Baronesse von Fricken (as Sonja Tuchmann)
Margit Geissler	...	Christel
Uwe Müller	...	Becker
Inge Marschall	...	Clemenza Wieck
Helmut Oskamp	...	Alwin Wieck
Wolfgang Greese	...	Presiding Judge

Storyline

Chronicles the illustrious 19th-century love affair between composer Robert Schumann and pianist Claire Weick.

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Plot Keywords:

nude bathing | madness | love | composer | classical music | 

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Genres:

Biography | Music

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

27 June 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spring Symphony

Filming Locations:

Dresden, Saxony, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allianz Filmproduktion, Berliner Filmförderung, Peter Schamoni Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

A Romance In Music

Fruhlingsinfonie "Spring Symphony" (1983): Starring Nastassia Kinski, Herbert Gronemeyer, Rolf Hoppe, Andre Heller, Marie Colbin, Margit Geissler, Gidon Kemer, Inge Marschall, Kitty Matern, Uwe Muller, Peter Schamoni's 1983 German film "Spring Symphony" is an intimate, accurate portrayal of the relationship between two composers- Robert Schumann and Clara. It is a wonderful film, with fine acting by the leads Herbert Gronemeyer and Natassia Kinksi, who had been a model and would enjoy further success after this movie. The time is early 19th century (1830-1850)during the Romantic Era craze in classical music. Beethoven opened the gates to the new wave of music, which would be followed by Chopin and Franz Liszt, all mentioned in this film. Robert Schumann is portrayed here as a struggling artist, an idealist who lives from hand to mouth, more along the lines of Mozart. He gets romantically involved with the more wealthier and polished Clara Wieck whose father opposes their love. Even like this, Robert and Clara, who had become lovers through working together as composers, continue to defiantly engage in their relationship. Clara's father is brought to trial but in the end Clara and Robert are married. The film is accurate, and not highly dramatized or romanticized far from the truth. Filmed in Germany, Austria and France, the film follows the career of Schumann quite truthfully - i.e: the fact he was injured and his fingers were paralized and even as such played the piano quite well, his publication of a music magazine under the pen names of Eusebius and Florestan. Eusebius is his practical, balanced side while Florestan is passionate and free-spirited. A beautiful film. Natassia Kinksi plays a fine Clara, strong, independent, refined, romantic, soulful. The costumes and attention to detail are precise, captivating us and hooking us into a new world of historical romance.

My favorite scenes are those romantic moments between Clara and Robert, the opening scene with Paganini playing a violin concerto with lightning speed, all the chamber music scenes and recitals Clara has and the finale in which finally, Clara and Robert have married and decide to open their own concert hall..Robert says "I hope this institution is big enough for two instruments" and I think he was referring to their marriage. The music is heaven. Conductor Wolgfang Sawallisch leads his orchestra in brilliant music by both Robert Schumann and Clara.