Fanny Cecilia Mendelssohn (1805-47) was as talented as her young brother Felix. She received the same musical education and composed prolifically in her early teens. Soon, however, she would be persuaded by their father to take a back seat in favour of her brother. Fanny married an artist, Wilhelm Hensel, who was proud of his wife's gifts, and enjoyed collaborating with her. Fanny continued to compose and to conduct in private, organizing successful Sunday concerts in their Berlin home. Aged 40, in spite of her brother's disapproval, she finally dared to publish a few compositions, and was beginning to receive public acclaim when she suddenly died aged 42. Of her songs Felix said
This words-and-music evening was first performed at Finchcocks, Goudhurst, Kent, on Sunday June 10, 2007.
Words by Franz Grillparzer, published under Felix Mendelssohn's name
Words by Heine (this poem was also set by Schumann in Dichterliebe)
Little Fugue in G major BWV 902
'September' from 'Das jahr'
From the introductory text from Goethe's poem: 'An Den Mond - fliesse, fliesse, lieber Fluss. Nimmer werde ich froh' (Flow, flow, dear river, never will I be happy)
Words by Robert Burns (from thee, my love, I must part) translated into German by P. Kaufmann
'Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben'
From the St Matthew Passion
'Das Meer erglanzte weit hinaus'
Words by Heine (The sea gleamed far outward)
'Das Heimweh' (Homesickness)
Words by F. Robert, printed under Felix Mendelssohn's name
'Ich wandelte unter den Baumen'
Words by Heine (I wander under the trees)
From DasWohltemperierte Klavier Book I, No VII I
'Nachspiel' Epilogue from'Das Jahr'
This piece is built round the chorale 'Das alte jahr vergangen ist' (The old year has fled), set by J.S.Bach.
Keyboard instruments from The Finchcocks Collection
Grand piano by Broadwood, London 1823
Grand piano by Pleyel, Paris 1842
Grand piano by Erard, London 1866
Square piano by Anton Walter, Vienna, c 1800
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