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During the 1840s he wrote most of his symphonic works, [[chamber music]], choral music, his only [[opera]] and more songs. He had started suffering bouts of depression which affected his creativity, however between times he wrote some of his finest works, particularly the Piano Concerto, and Piano Quintet – the latter, one of the finest in the repertoire.

During the 1840s he wrote most of his symphonic works, [[chamber music]], choral music, his only [[opera]] and more songs. He had started suffering bouts of depression which affected his creativity, however between times he wrote some of his finest works, particularly the Piano Concerto, and Piano Quintet – the latter, one of the finest in the repertoire.

Two major works appeared in 1850: the Third Symphony (''“Rhenish”'') and the Cello Concerto – positive works frequently enjoyed today. By 1852, however he had started to deteriorate, and had to leave his post as music director at Dusseldorf. By 1854 he attempted suicide, and entered an asylum. He died in 1856, almost certainly from the effects of syphilis, from which he had suffered all his adult life. (Grove’s Dictionary of Music states that the injuries to his hands that had halted his career as a pianist was more likely to have been caused by remedies for a syphilitic sore than any finger-strengthening machine.)

Two major works appeared in 1850: the Third Symphony (''“Rhenish”'') and the Cello Concerto – positive works frequently enjoyed today. By 1852, however he had started to deteriorate, and had to leave his post as music director at Düsseldorf. By 1854 he attempted suicide, and entered an asylum. He died in 1856, almost certainly from the effects of syphilis, from which he had suffered all his adult life. (Grove’s Dictionary of Music states that the injuries to his hands that had halted his career as a pianist was more likely to have been caused by remedies for a syphilitic sore than any finger-strengthening machine.)

His music covered nearly all the genres, although there is almost no sacred music. His major works are as follow:

His music covered nearly all the genres, although there is almost no sacred music. His major works are as follow:

* Piano Works – although he wrote 2 sonatas, it is his shorter pieces, or works consisting of  miniatures that are popular today. ''“Scenes of Childhood”'', ''“Papillons”'', ''“Carnaval”'', ''“Kreisleriana”'' are the most well known.

* Piano Works – although he wrote 2 sonatas, it is his shorter pieces, or works consisting of  miniatures that are popular today. ''“Scenes of Childhood”'', ''“Papillons”'', ''“Carnaval”'', ''“Kreisleriana”'' are the most well known.

* Orchestral – 4 symphonies,  all of which are popular; Piano Concerto, Cello Concerto, various shorter pieces (eg ''Manfred'' Overture)

* Orchestral – 4 symphonies,  all of which are popular; Piano Concerto, Cello Concerto, various shorter pieces (e.g. ''Manfred'' Overture)

* Chamber Music. The Piano Quintet is the most well known, but he also wrote 3 string quartets, piano trios, violin sonatas, and other works for a variety of instruments: cello, viola, oboe, clarinet, horn.

* Chamber Music. The Piano Quintet is the most well known, but he also wrote 3 string quartets, piano trios, violin sonatas, and other works for a variety of instruments: cello, viola, oboe, clarinet, horn.

* Drama – an opera (''“Genoveva”'', successful at the time but now not performed), and the ''"Manfred"'' incidental music.

* Drama – an opera (''“Genoveva”'', successful at the time but now not performed), and the ''"Manfred"'' incidental music.