Fanny Mendelssohn, born on November 14, 1805, in Hamburg, Germany, was a prolific composer and pianist of the early Romantic period, despite the social constraints of her time that limited her musical career. Fanny was the sister of the more widely recognized Felix Mendelssohn, yet she developed her own distinct musical voice. Growing up in a supportive, intellectual family, Mendelssohn received a comprehensive education in music and the arts. She studied piano with Ludwig Berger and composition with Carl Friedrich Zelter.

Despite the attitude of the era that discouraged professional careers for women in music, Fanny composed over 460 pieces of music. Her works include a piano trio, several books of solo piano works, and more than 250 lieder, or songs for voice and piano. She was deeply embedded in the musical life of Berlin and often held Sunday salons which were a focal point for the city's musical elite. Her compositions are marked by a lyrical melody and a sense of emotional depth. Unfortunately, much of her work was originally published under her brother's name due to societal pressures and norms.

Her music remained largely unrecognized until the late 20th century when the growing interest in women composers led to a revival of her works. Fanny Mendelssohn's notable works include "Das Jahr," a cycle of character pieces for piano that depict the months of the year, and her string quartet in E-flat major. She sadly passed away on May 14, 1847, from complications of a stroke, but Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel - she married the painter Wilhelm Hensel in 1829 - has finally begun to emerge from her brother's shadow, being celebrated for her remarkable talent and contribution to classical music.

Genres

Early Romantic Era

German Romanticism

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Latest Release

Mendelssohn

Isata Kanneh-Mason•

Felix Mendelssohn•

London Mozart Players•

Franz Liszt•

Fanny Mendelssohn

Album - 13 Tracks - Released August 9, 2024