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Flammarion, C., Carroll, L,
Death and its mystery: before death, proofs of the existence of the soul

Let us notice in passing a curious passage of Schumann’s. In a letter written in the year 1833, to Clara Wiek, he relates what follows:

I must tell you of a presentiment which I have just had: it has haunted me from the twenty-fourth to the twenty-seventh of March, while I was absorbed in my new compositions.

There is a certain passage which obsessed me, and some one seemed to repeat after me, from the depths of his heart: “Ach, Gott!”

While I was composing I saw funereal things, coffins, despairing faces. When I had finished I sought for a title. The only one that came to my mind was: Leichenphantasie (Funereal Fantasy). Wasn’t it extraordinary? I was so much upset that tears came to my eyes; I really did not know why; it was impossible for me to discover a reason for this sadness. Then came Therese’s letter and everything was explained.

His sister-in-law wrote him that his brother Edward had just died. Schumann gave the name of Nachtstücke (Nocturne) to this piece which he had at first wished to call Leichenphantasie.