Clara Schumann ( born Leipzig 13 September , 1819 ; died Frankfurt am Main 20 May , 1896 ) , was the wife of composer Robert Schumann . Clara Schumann ( nÃ e Clara Josephine Wieck ; 13 September 1819 â `` 20 May 1896 ) was a German musician and composer , considered one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era .