Schumann's Virtuosity: Criticism, Composition, and Performance in Nineteenth-Century GermanyConsidered one of the greatest composers and music critics of the Romantic era, Robert Schumann (1810 1856) played an important role in shaping nineteenth century German ideas about virtuosity. Forging his career in the decades that saw abundant public fascination with the feats and creations of virtuosos (Liszt, Paganini, and Chopin among others), Schumann engaged with instrumental virtuosity through not only his compositions and performances but