Life and Important Facts about Composer Fanny Mendelssohn from our Know the Great Composers and Classical Musicians Series.
About Fanny Mendelssohn – Her Early Life, Fun Facts, Important Achievements, and What We Can Learn from Her:
Fanny Mendelssohn was a German pianist and composer of the early Romantic era who was also known as Fanny (Cäcilie) Mendelssohn Bartholdy and, after her marriage, Fanny Hensel. She was the eldest sister and confidante of Felix Mendelssohn, a famous composer, and the granddaughter of Moses Mendelssohn, a philosopher. She composed over 450 pieces of music, including piano, vocal, and orchestral works, but most of them were unpublished in her lifetime. She married Wilhelm Hensel, a Prussian court painter, in 1829 and traveled with him in Italy in 1839-40. She was also the grandmother of Paul Hensel, a philosopher, and Kurt Hensel, a mathematician.
Her Early Life and Education
Fanny Mendelssohn was born in Hamburg on November 14, 1805, the oldest of four children. She was descended on both sides from distinguished Jewish families; her parents were Abraham Mendelssohn (who was the son of the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn), and Lea, née Salomon, a granddaughter of the entrepreneur Daniel Itzig. She was baptized as a Christian in 1816, becoming Fanny Cäcilie Mendelssohn Bartholdy. Despite this, she and her family continued an affinity with the social and moral values of Judaism.
While growing up in the family’s new home in Berlin, Mendelssohn showed prodigious musical ability and began to write music. She received her first piano instruction from her mother, who may have learned the Berlin Bach tradition through the writings of Johann Kirnberger, a student of Johann Sebastian Bach. Thus as a 14 year old, Mendelssohn could already play all 24 preludes from Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier from memory alone, and she did so in honour of her father’s birthday in 1819.
She also received lessons from other teachers such as Ludwig Berger (a pupil of Muzio Clementi) and Carl Friedrich Zelter (a friend of Goethe). Her younger brother Felix Mendelssohn, also a composer and pianist, shared the same education and the two developed a close relationship. They often played duets together and exchanged musical ideas and critiques. Fanny also helped Felix with his compositions by copying his scores and giving him feedback.
Fun Facts about Fanny Mendelssohn
- Fanny Mendelssohn wrote her first song when she was 11 years old. It was called “Heimweh” (Homesickness) and it expressed her longing for Hamburg.
- Fanny Mendelssohn had a pet dog named Pumpernickel who often accompanied her to the piano.
- Fanny Mendelssohn was an avid reader and enjoyed novels by Jane Austen, Sir Walter Scott, and George Sand.
- Fanny Mendelssohn was fluent in several languages including German, French, English, Italian, and Hebrew.
- Fanny Mendelssohn was fond of gardening and grew roses, lilies, jasmine, and other flowers in her house.
- Fanny Mendelssohn was interested in astronomy and often observed the stars with a telescope.
- Fanny Mendelssohn had a strong sense of humor and liked to make jokes and puns.
Important Achievements of Fanny Mendelssohn
Fanny Mendelssohn was a prolific composer who wrote more than 450 works in various genres such as piano pieces, songs, chamber music, cantatas, oratorios, and an orchestral overture. Some of her most notable compositions are:
- Das Jahr (The Year), a cycle of 12 piano pieces inspired by her journey to Italy with her husband in 1839-40. Each piece is named after a month and depicts the scenery, mood, and events of that month. The cycle also includes poems by her husband that accompany each piece.
- Gartenlieder (Garden Songs), a collection of six part-songs for mixed choir that celebrate nature and love. The songs are based on poems by Goethe, Eichendorff, Rückert, and others.
- Oratorium nach Bildern der Bibel (Oratorio on Biblical Images), a large-scale work for soloists, chorus, and orchestra that narrates episodes from the Old Testament such as the creation of the world, the flood, Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, Moses’ crossing of the Red Sea, David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan, and Elijah’s ascension to heaven.
- Piano Trio in D minor op. 11 (1847), one of her last works that showcases her mastery of form, harmony, and melody. The trio is dedicated to her brother Felix and has four movements: Allegro molto vivace, Andante espressivo, Lied: Allegretto, and Finale: Allegretto moderato.
- Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), a series of short piano pieces that express various emotions and moods through music alone. Fanny Mendelssohn wrote 21 of these pieces, while her brother Felix wrote 48. Some of her pieces were published under his name in his Opus 8 and 9 collections.
Fanny Mendelssohn, sketched in 1829 by Wilhelm Hensel
What We Can Learn from Fanny Mendelssohn
Fanny Mendelssohn was a remarkable woman who pursued her passion for music despite the obstacles and prejudices she faced as a female composer in the 19th century. She was also a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend who balanced her personal and professional life with grace and dignity. She was a source of inspiration and support for her brother Felix and many other musicians who admired her talent and spirit. She left behind a rich legacy of music that deserves to be heard and appreciated by modern audiences.
Some of the lessons we can learn from Fanny Mendelssohn are:
- Follow your dreams and don’t let anyone discourage you from doing what you love.
- Express yourself creatively and authentically through your art.
- Seek feedback and advice from others, but also trust your own judgment and intuition.
- Share your knowledge and skills with others and help them grow.
- Appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature and culture.
- Enjoy the simple pleasures of life such as reading, gardening, or stargazing.
- Have a sense of humor and don’t take yourself too seriously.
What Students Can Learn from Fanny Mendelssohn are:
Fanny Mendelssohn was not only a composer but also a lifelong learner who constantly sought to improve her musical skills and knowledge. She studied various subjects such as languages, literature, history, philosophy, mathematics, and science. She also traveled to different countries and learned about their cultures and traditions. She was curious, open-minded, and eager to explore new ideas and perspectives.
- Practice regularly and diligently to hone your craft.
- Learn from the masters of your field and study their works closely.
- Experiment with different styles, techniques, and forms of expression.
- Challenge yourself with new projects and goals that stretch your abilities.
- Collaborate with others who share your interests and passions.
- Seek constructive criticism and feedback from your teachers, peers, and mentors.
- Be humble, respectful, and grateful for the opportunities you have.
Images: From Public Domain
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