Robert Schumann was the last of the great 19th Composers I decided to take a close look at, after Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Brahms, Bruckner, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Mahler (part 20th C).
This was because the others, at least at the time I started the long venture, seemed to offer a better overall package, more in tune with my tastes etc. I had of course heard Schumann’s PC and a few other pieces which I enjoyed, but I was content to leave things there until I had carried out a fuller “audit” of what the other composers on the above list had to offer.
A few years ago when I finally got round to reading up on Schumann I discovered a generally strong interest among message board participants elsewhere. This enthusiasm was catching and the more I listened to Schumann the more I enjoyed his works. He soon became one of my overall favourites, and I became a “completist” in terms of acquiring just about everything he wrote.
Insofar that it is possible to come up with an "objective" list of the greatest composers, based on general popularity and esteem, I would place him in the top 10 (ahead of Liszt, Chopin, Mahler, Bruckner). I would not wish to get into any arguments with anyone over this matter of judgement, as if someone else for example thinks that Chopin or Brahms is better, I can easily live with that as I used to believe it too.
What I like especially about Schumann is that the sound of his music unique, and given half a chance it soon grows on you. The quality is generally very high, and the volume of his output is manageable with little or no excess baggage. Unlike some other Romantics, I do not find any of his works over long and drawn out. His works cover most of the main genres, and this is something I greatly appreciate and admire as I am not just interested in orchestral music. The latter is really nice to start with but most classical fans who know what they are talking about generally like a cross-spectrum of genres, and do not just stay stuck in one rut.
His piano solo works are in my view of extremely high quality and generally outshine most of the competition. Of his Op 1-28 piano solo works, my favourite is the Fantasy in C Major, Op 17. I love all of his symphonies. His PC and Cello concerto are wonderful, as too is his VC which is more subtle and intriguing than all the usual better known stodge a la Beethoven, Brahms etc. His song cycles are very enjoyable, Dichterliebe being my favourite. I especially love his chamber works, in particular the Piano Quintet. There are many other individual works I like including the Konzertstucke, Op 92, and the various overtures.