Music: Romantic Period - Fanny Mendelssohn

Music: Romantic Period - Fanny Mendelssohn

Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)

Fanny Mendelssohn was born in Austria in 1805. She was the granddaughter of Moses Mendelssohn, a philosopher. Her mother gave her and her brother musical instruction from a very early age, and she learned composition from C.F. Zelter. She and her brother, Felix Mendelssohn, were both musically gifted and encouraged by their family. However, since women were still not encouraged to pursue professional careers, Fanny Mendelssohn did not have her brother’s support in attempting to get some of her songs published. Therefore, most of her work was unpublished. Some of her songs were published under her brother’s name (Op. 8 and 9 Collections). She married Wilhelm Hensel, an artist, in 1829, and he did work to see that some of her songs were published. Fanny mainly performed salon concerts in their family home. Her brother, Felix, also sung her songs and sung Italien (one of Fanny’s songs) for Queen Victoria. The song was the queen’s favorite. The following is a quote from Fanny concerning what she felt about publishing her songs:

"I'm beginning to publish...and if I've done it of my own free will and cannot blame anyone in my family if aggravation results from it...then I can console myself with the knowledge that in no way did I seek or induce the kind of musical reputation that might have brought me such offers. I hope I shall not disgrace you all, for I am no femme libre...If it [my publication] succeeds, that is, if people like the pieces and I receive further offers, I know it will be a great stimulus to me, which I have always needed in order to create. If not, I shall be at the same point where I have always been."

Fanny Mendelssohn is best remembered for her songs and her remarkable melodies. She also used he gift for creating great melodies to write short piano pieces. Fanny Mendelssohn died in 1847 due to a stroke.