Review: PianoNews May 2024 (in German)
Fanny Mendelssohn
Das Jahr
1. Nr. 1 Januar: Adagio quasi una fantasia
2. Nr. 2 Februar: Presto
3. Nr. 3 März: Präludium und Choral
4. Nr. 4 April: Capriccioso
5. Nr. 5 Mai: Frühlingslied
6. Nr. 6 Juni: Serenade
7. Nr. 7 Juli: Larghetto
8. Nr. 8 August: Allegro
9. Nr. 9 September: Andante com moto
10. Nr. 10 Oktober: Allegro con spirito
11. Nr. 11 November: Mesto
12. Nr. 12 Dezember: Allegro molto
13. Nr. 13: Nachspiel: Choral
Fanny Mendelssohn ©
By Mogens Wenzel Andreasen
Fanny Mendelssohn was born 1805 in Hamburg, her brother Felix 4 years later. Their father Abraham was a wealthy banker, their mother Lea interested in music. 1811 Abraham moved with his family to Berlin, where he bought a big house. The children had lessons in their home, they early showed interest in music, and they were both talented pianists – Fanny played J. S. Bach’s “Das wohltemperierte Klavier” by heart at 13 years old, and they both composed from an early age.
Felix became a well-known musician and composer, whereas Fanny was never a recognized musician, being difficult for a woman in the early 19th century. Some of her piano pieces can be found in Felix’ “Lieder ohne Worte” but were never credited to her.
In 1829 she married the painter Wilhelm Hensel, and they lived for some years in Italy. Fanny was not happy, as she was never accepted as a musician and composer. When she was 40 years, she described herself as “an old woman”. She died in 1847, followed a few months later by Felix.
Only few of Fanny’s compositions are known today, some piano pieces, Lieder and duets for two voices. Her chamber music, cantatas, oratorios, and scenic works are forgotten. It is welcome that her piano pieces “Das Jahr” (The year) has been recorded. Fanny Hensel composed “Das Jahr” in 1841, one of her finest compositions, musical pictures of the 12 months, like Tchaikovsky’s “The Seasons”.
The first piece is “January, a dream”, Adagio, quasi una Fantasia, later Presto. Then follows February, presto, a brilliant piece in F sharp major. March, Agitato, followed by Andante, later Allegro moderato con fuoco.
In the Andante part, Fanny wrote a few words: Christ is risen from the dead. April is marked Capriccioso: cheerful. May is called “Frühlingslied”, a song of spring, June is a serenade, first slow and romantic, later andante with virtuoso movements in the right hand. July is also a serenade, slow and romantic, August Tempo di Marcia, followed by Allegro assai. There is another more virtuosic adaptation of August. Then follows September, called “At the river”, calm and romantic, October is quick and virtuosic, November begins Mesto: quiet and wistful, later Allegro molto agitato, a virtuosic piece. December is marked Allegro molto, later Andante, and Fanny has written a few words: Vom Himmel hoch da kom ich her (I come down from Heaven). Nachspiel (postlude): Choral.
RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 2022
CATALOGUE NUMBER: DACOCD 957
EAN: 5709499957004
