Luigi Guarnieri enlightens by a new perspective an incredible love triangle, involving Robert Schumann, his wife Clara Wieck and Johannes Brahms. He takes a fascinating picture of the world of nineteenth century Romantic music, touching on the deepest questions of our lives—craziness, death, happiness, family, friendship and love.

Düsseldorf, September 1853. A twenty year old musician comes to the door of a house on the Bilkerstrasse. There lives the composer Robert Schumann with his wife Clara Wieck, one of the finest pianist of the day, and their six children. He is a silent traveler, fair and angelic: his name is Johannes Brahms, and since their first encounter the Schumanns become the center of his life, the first supporters of his talent, his real family. Forty-three years after that decisive day in the existence of all three, back in Vienna from a painful journey to be present at Clara’s funeral, Johannes writes a long letter, the last one—a sort of confession—to his beloved friend. He retraces the steps of their unique relationship, exclusive, ambiguous as well as cruel, even more peculiar after Robert’s descent into madness and his death in a mental hospital.

Awards Premio Bagutta Opera Prima 2000 for L’atlante criminale Premio Selezione Campiello 2004 for La doppia vita di Veermer Premio Grinzane Cavour 2009 for I sentieri del cielo