Some scholars think that the "hand stretching" was a cover story...

Some scholars believe the story that Schumann damaged his hand with a mechanical device designed to give pianists greater flexibility was a fabrication meant to disguise that he was losing control of his hands because of the progress of his syphilis infection.

Ironically enough, Clara's father did endorse some kind of mechanical device.

Seeing as even suggesting that Schumann had syphilis seems to make the fans of bipolar disorder froth at the mouth, don't expect consensus on this one!

JM

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Excellent Music Video – “Twin Spirits” relates the love of Clara & Robert Schumann – features STING! - John C. - Aussie 17:33:57 05/21/12 (12)

Some scholars think that the "hand stretching" was a cover story... - John Marks 06:49:40 05/22/12 (1)

Syphilis does seem the more logical explanation - John C. - Aussie 14:47:06 05/22/12 (0)

RE: Excellent Music Video – “Twin Spirits” relates the love of Clara & Robert Schumann – features STING! - Chris from Lafayette 22:42:08 05/21/12 (1)

Natasha Paremski - lovely to both look at and hear - John C. - Aussie 20:04:07 05/22/12 (0)

Another interesting discussion about Robert Schumannn & Clara - John C. - Aussie 21:16:38 05/21/12 (0)

Sting? What an amazing miscasting. What next, Jagger as Schubert? Keith - tinear 21:14:58 05/21/12 (5)

I wouldn't underestimate Sting - rbolaw 12:05:02 05/22/12 (0)

Actually.... - kuma 21:37:56 05/21/12 (1)

Bingo! nt - tinear 08:15:20 05/23/12 (0)

Tinear - please do not be so ignorant - John C. - Aussie 21:21:24 05/21/12 (1)

I nominate you for casting the next Transformer film. - tinear 14:32:02 05/24/12 (0)

Schumann's madness & death a result of syphillis? - John C. - Aussie 19:15:27 05/21/12 (0)

Follow Ups

Some scholars think that the "hand stretching" was a cover story... - John Marks 06:49:40 05/22/12 (1)

Syphilis does seem the more logical explanation - John C. - Aussie 14:47:06 05/22/12 (0)

Some scholars think that the "hand stretching" was a cover story...

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