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REPRINTED FROM VOLUME 29, NUMBER 7 (SEPTEMBER 2020) BY PERMISSION Fanny Hensel: Music Through the Fleeting Years

SUSAN JANE MATTHEWS

In these past five months of sheltering in place and fasting private Sunday concerts, from synchronous music, I have felt held and strengthened Sonntagsmusiken, held in by the music of a great host of women musicians. Reaching the expansive Gartensaal1 through the years, this great host awakens my soul anew to of the Hensel home in the beauty of the gift of life: musicians in convents, such as , concerts to which the composer Chiara Cozzolani cloistered at the Milanese prominent European convent of Santa Radegonda, the strict cloistering of the musicians flocked to convent protecting the 140 nuns from the early seventeenth- hear the compositions of century outbreaks of bubonic plague in northern Italy; both siblings along with the great German Romantic composer and pianist Fanny music of Bach, Beethoven, Hensel, the focus of this article and my creative life the Handel, and Mozart, to past three years, strictly counseled by her father and famous be inspired by Fanny’s younger brother to neither perform publicly nor publish her performances as a pianist compositions under her own name; the inspiring lives of and as director of her composers, pianists and organists Margaret Bonds, Undine own choral ensemble, Smith Moore, and Florence Price, whose music surmounted performing such works endless hurdles posed in the twentieth-century United as her cantata Fanny Hensel in the guise of St Cecilia. States for a black woman. Despite the countless ways this (Song of Praise). I invite Pencil drawing by Wilhelm Hensel, great host of women musicians were denied a voice in the you to come with me now musical canon, they persisted to compose and to perform, 1829. © Staatliche Museen Preussischer to hear of Fanny Hensel Kulturbesitz, Nationalgalerie. to creatively share their music, often without leaving their and her musical voice that homes. reach to us through the In the Fall of 2017, a vestry and choir member of St. Paul’s fleeting years. Episcopal Church, Burlingame, California, musicologist Jim On November 14, 1805, she was born , Steichen, first introduced me to the wedding organ music of the first of four children of Lea and Abraham Mendelssohn, the Fanny Hensel (1805-1847). I was captivated by her music, granddaughter of the Jewish philosopher and at last learned the truth of the composer of the organ (1729-1786), and great-granddaughter of Daniel Itzig (1723- processionals at the wedding of this older sister of Felix 1799), court banker to . On March 21, Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847). In Fanny Hensel’s 1816, her parents arranged a Christian baptism for all four Das Jahr (The Year) for fortepiano, I found the musical voice children—Fanny, Felix, Rebecka, and Paul—and gave them of a woman that gave me life, learning a movement each the surname Bartholdy, Fanny’s full name becoming Fanny month, through a challenging year as my mother’s health Cäcilia Mendelssohn Bartholdy. Neither Fanny nor Felix liked suddenly declined. This musical calendar was very nearly lost appending Bartholdy to the family name. In a letter of July 1829, to the world since Fanny was counseled by her brother and Fanny wrote to Felix when their father was deeply concerned father to remain invisible, to neither publish nor perform that his son’s name had appeared as in publicly as appropriate for a woman of her upper class concert publicity in English papers: “I know and approve of standing. This counsel she followed, despite the urging of your intention to lay aside someday this name [Bartholdy] that her supportive husband, the artist Wilhelm Hensel, until the we all dislike.” After her marriage to the artist Wilhelm Hensel last two years of her short life of forty-one years, when she in October 1829, she signed her name either as Fanny Hensel; began to publish. Fanny funneled her passion for music into

, Die in a Sechs Sechs große kleine had been had Sechs Lieder Sechs Rheinblüten, Rheinblüten, The Harmonicon The Flügeln des Gesangs. Schloß Liebeneck Liebeneck Schloß Die Schwalbe Die Schwalbe was to become the last was to become oice it had actuallyit had been written

].” V for Felix must confess to the Queen confess must Felix

May 1847 May 1820, Fanny Hensel set an excerptan set Hensel Fanny 1820,

(1810) by Sir Walter Scott (1771- SirWalter (1810) by In the mid-1800s, at the age of forty, forty, of age the at mid-1800s, the In ongs . of ] S Italien). Italien). (

, Opus 8; 1825), 8; Opus , ], she writes: “I’m quite busy with my music and my music quite busy with “I’m writes: she ], Ave Maria under the name of Fanny Hensel in an anthology Hensel in under the name of Fanny ] to me, something I’ve always I’ve to something needed in order ] to me, um etwas hervorzubringen in 1847. Ladyof the Lake Fanny Hensel composed lieder for voice throughout her her throughout lieder for voice Hensel composed Fanny her In Thus in the summer of 1847, Fanny began Fanny carefully Thus in the summer of 1847, In a letter of June 22, 1846, Fanny tells Felix of her great of her great tells Felix Fanny 1846, In a letter of June 22, Zwölf Gesänge Zwölf neuen Pimpernüßchen neuen The piano accompaniment is harp-like, as is the well-known well-known as is the is harp-like, accompaniment The piano close the evokes and the codetta Schubert, Franz by setting This of the poem—“Died the harp on the closing hymn.” lied was published with the original as a English text in 1832 supplement to the London periodical music as Mlle Mendelssohn- name given with the composer’s “Now first page, of the bottom and a note at the Bartholdy, her lied In 1825, Hensel.” Madame did not seek out these publishers herself, a point she carefullypoint she a herself, these publishers seek out did not Felix. clarifies to The which of with this intriguing is linked one anecdote. life, of both QueenVictoria and 1842, journal entries July on 9, at encounters many of their tell of one Mendelssohn Felix was visiting to while Felix On this day, Buckingham Palace. Queen try Albert, Prince by out a new organ recently acquired Victoria Felix, of her favorite chose lieder by to sing one und schöner Schöner 3 (No. under his name published the song that while he had of Felix published many not an isolated This was case. Fanny. by including her consent, lieder under his name with of Fanny’s By February 1827 and 1830. collections from each in three a when for the siblings, was reversed the situation 1847, to queryViennese also if she had to Fanny publisher wrote most famous songs, written of Felix’s one from Storck Adam translated (1780-1822). into German by 1832), published anonymously as a supplement to published the lied Fanny In 1837, a popular almanac. Schiffende and in 1839 the lied Schlesinger, by 1, Opus her However, Dunst. M. J. by collection create [ create for to prepare 400 works her over editing manuscripts from she saw the successful With joy, overflowing publication. including solo and four-part publication of her Opera 1-4, In sending copies of her Opus 2 and 3 lieder and piano works. goodies” “new to them as her she refers publications to Felix, [ and life to begin publishing, it was very late in a composer’s time was especially short— was not to be published until 1846 and Opus 7, another Opus 7, was not to be published until 1846 and Lieder, While his grand style of living might happiness at this time. contrast with her little pocket [ edition be of great Taschenausgabe after a 1846, In a letter of July 9, it immensely.” am enjoying she announces to the subject, introduction and hesitant long sees Fanny beginning to publish.” I’m a word, “At to Felix: “If it life: importthis event as of tremendous to her creative liked receive well if the pieces are succeeds—that is, [ stimulus will it offers—I great a be know additional Anregung

. In her letters to In her letters . F reached international reached 2 Mendelssohn Bartholdy; Mendelssohn her or in geboren she organized at the Hensel home in Berlin. she organized Berlin. in home Hensel the at The Music Room of Fanny Hensel by Julius Eduard Wilhelm Helfft (1849). her famous younger brother brother her famous younger Felix recognized Fanny’s amazing talent, rivaling, perhaps rivaling, amazing talent, recognized Fanny’s Felix Both Fanny and Felix had received an outstanding musical musical outstanding an received had Felix and Fanny Both publications came in 1846 and 1847, mainlythe through publications came1847, and 1846 in perseveranceBock)& Bote (Schlesinger; publishers two of Fanny urging of friends acquaintances. and the ongoing and audiences, Fanny continued to performto continued only the in music her Fanny audiences, Sonntagsmusiken Fanny’s the publication of a fewAside from lieder separately, her, a woman, in this endeavor, although [he is] willing to offer in this endeavor, a woman, her, while so, And with it.” ahead assistance if she decides to go of the music In a letter of June 7, 1837, their mother, Lea, beseeches Felix beseeches Felix Lea, their mother, 1837, In a letter of June 7, his talented sister and help her find a publisher, to encourage encourage conscience in good “cannot that he but he responds with the encouragement of her husband to let her musical husband to let of her encouragement with the Fanny Berlin the family’s home, beyond be heard voice his approval. and waited on advice to her brother’s deferred surpassing his own, and sought her help and inspiration in inspiration and sought her help and surpassinghis own, his compositional throughout reviewing and editing his works 1835 and death in November after Even her father’s process. were a delightful mix of family news, detailed reviews detailed of new mix of family a delightful news, were critiques and thorough performances and performers, music, compositions. of each other’s relationship evolved through time, even as a young married even as a young time, evolved through relationship for the Wednesday wait anxiously would each Fanny woman correspondences Their Felix. from a letter deliver to postman family, from the vagaries of the publishing and performing from family, very were close their throughout and Fanny Felix worlds. their While letter writing. prolific through sustained lives, teenager, their father counseled Fanny that music was only to that music counseled Fanny their father teenager, become while it could be an ornament life to her woman, as a sought to Felix father, with Fanny’s Along vocation. Felix’s an upper class from Berlin a woman his dear sister, “protect” the first years of their marriage. years of their the first as a But recognized. well talents were and their education, Fanny Hensel, Hensel, Fanny simply as correspondences, familiar many as Hensel through husband to her beloved she referred Felix, Thaw Collection, Gift of Eugene Victor Thaw Art Foundation. Thaw Art Gift of Eugene Victor Thaw Collection,

THE JOURNAL of the ASSOCIATION OF ANGLICAN MUSICIANS † REPRINTED FROM VOLUME 29, NUMBER 7 (SEPTEMBER 2020) BY PERMISSION 2 THE JOURNAL of the ASSOCIATION OF ANGLICAN MUSICIANS † REPRINTED FROM VOLUME 29, NUMBER 7 (SEPTEMBER 2020) BY PERMISSION 3 in Abschied Andante Andante

. Das Jahr as an aural Composed , composed in composed , Das Jahr (1838) and for duet piano , Opus 11, but a treasure of but a treasure Opus 11, , became with a joint project Notturno (The Year) to her husband as a (The his trio to likely most a response

, Das Jahr Piano Trio Piano Allegrominor c in molto Das Jahr Allegro in c minor molto composed in 1847, enchants the listener from the enchantsfrom the listener in 1847, composed (c. 1840). (c.

, rtel, including the rtel, ä Piano Trio in C minor Trio Piano In her dedication to him, she describes In her dedication to him, So lang ich Jahr daher, manches der schon “Dem Mann, war, ihm verbunden das Leben Poesie Mit mir verkuurzt, Festtag Zum steten gewürzt, Das spielende Tüchtigen, dem Ersten, Ihm seygereicht, des flüchtigen.” Bild des Jahres, been with him, for as I have as long the man who, “To enrichedhas who entertainedhas days, festive on me my life with poetry; playing the give to wish I man best and first this to year.” of the fleeting picture of version The final Our end descendants at the surveythus leaps to Fanny’s at the at last arrive to pause in wonder may we In 1989, the months. Pictures now appear in print in this fair copy of print appear in Pictures now in this fair copy months. the is Each of the months year.” of the fleeting picture “playing the by a sketch accompanied paper, printed colored a different on The first publication of Wilhelm by and an epigraph. performance in Berlin1989 and a premiere pianist in 1987 by from version first Fanny’s Suga-Maack based on were Ayako read the notation Though it was difficult to December 1841. this was the only version of this manuscript certainty, with any available at the time. Christmas gift. picture: includes some Fanny in early completed 1842. her husband, most noticeably an entirely significantmusicalrevisions, The cyclical structure is for of June. the month new serenade interweaving and thematic references transitions enhanced by Das Jahr. Zwölf Charakterstücke für das Fortepiano. Charakterstücke Zwölf Das Jahr. December 1841 through 28, August Hensel from Fanny by she gave 1841, 23, death, and his death a mere six months later in November in November later six months death a mere and his death, opportunity was little there of for more to publish him 1847, Breitkopf by published in 1850 Opera 8-11 were her music. & H voice manuscriptsa century. for no find over would Fanny’s great- Hensel’s Fanny In 1986, century. of the twentieth (1918- Kistner-Hensel granddaughter and namesake Fanny elevenof previously selection a unpublished gathered 2006) Among Verlag. Henle G. for publication by piano works the is collection this of birthdaygift to Fanny Januaryto Felix’s in response 1846 his her earlier cantabile though stylebeginning with a singing similar to her brother’s, a daring on distant keys journeythen proceeds through that her spirit, of Fanny’s again uniquelymake this song expressive in likewise voice heard mature Rom von publicationof a mesmerizing cycle for fortepiano that reflects firstthe year, of the months the lifeof through seasons the on calendarextant example of a musical history: for piano in music ], in the , No., 4, Allgemeine , seems to to seems , Tagebücher (Songs without , Opus 6, No. 1 does No. Opus 6, , Lied Worte ohne Allegro vivace iano Il saltarello Romano Il saltarello P ]. So far…it has caused me no So far…it ]. for

Lieder Worte ohne for piano are reminiscent of her reminiscent forpiano are ongs S Lieder , Opus 6. The preparation for publication preparation The Opus 6. , 1847) Andante espressivo Andante in Opus 6, the autograph manuscript the autograph of in Opus 6, Vier Lieder extended trips in Italy. She recounted to Felix in letters She to Felix recounted extended trips in Italy. While Fanny was able to prepare twenty of her piano While was able to prepare Fanny In a February 7, 1847, entry journalher in [ 1847, Februarya In 7, After receiving Fanny’s letter of her pivotal life decision letter of her pivotal After Fanny’s receiving The opening of Among these final four opera stands Fanny’s final opus final Fanny’s these final operafour stands Among Andante cantabile Andante meine gute Stimmung erhöht meine gute her piano pieces remained unpublished at her death in May unpublished at her death in May her piano pieces remained after health sister’s his older With in Felix’s downturn a 1847. experience them at all, are usually are end.” at an experience at all, them of countless and 6, 5, 4, for publication in her Operaworks 2, [ this manner of and it is enticing to have unpleasantness, who for women when such pleasures, success begin at an age something so beautiful.”something “II take cannot pleasure my that deny writes, Hensel Fanny spiritshigh my to adds also publicationthe in music my of separately to Fanny that “Mother [Felix’s mother-in-law] “Mother [Felix’s that separately to Fanny and not at that she is really delighted, wants me to tell you who wanted to begrudge the world all as egotistical as Felix, his professional blessing. He extends good wishes for pleasure wishes for pleasure He extends good blessing. his professional only “the public pelt you and that in her composition and joy writes Cecilie, wife, Felix’s and never with sand.” with roses to publish, Felix waited over a month to pen a reply to her. to pen a reply to her. a month waited over Felix to publish, his older sister he gives 1846, 12, In a letter dated August very an exceedingly the trip grateful on spoiled public that by and this and that” continually me to play and invited urged so easily moves cherished“one the time in Italy in which artbetween of life.” and the enjoyment This mesmerizing dance for piano embodies the joy of Fanny’s Fanny’s This mesmerizing of dance for piano embodies the joy two was “she that 1845, 4, August and 1840, September 28, from spins from piano variations on a Roman folk dance, a souvenir a souvenir folk dance, piano variations a Roman on spins from during experience an extended of music Hensel’s of Fanny Wilhelmhusband her with 1839 in holiday Italian Hensel. (O Dream of Youth, O Golden Star), a reference to Fanny’s to Fanny’s a reference O Golden Star), Youth, (O Dream of been confirmed in May who had Sebastian (1830-1898), son, 1841, March in Composed 1846. bubble with a wordless song of joy. While No. 3 was listed While No. of joy. bubble with a wordless song as o Goldner Stern” der Jugend, Traum “O is entitled this work recall the opening of one of Felix’s recall of Felix’s the opening of one fourteen some then traverses miniature but Fanny’s same key, freedom expressive a distinctive revealing areas, harmonic 2, No. voice. compositional her in and form is applied with broader brush strokes.” ( brushand formstrokes.” is applied with broader Zeitung, musikalische brother Felix’s well-known well-known Felix’s brother contemporary as one but regarding critic remarked Words), reign, is permitted a freer “fantasy style, compositional Fanny’s particular favorites of hers. As children, Fanny and Felix and Felix Fanny As children, particular favorites of hers. At this idea of a singing piano piece. with together played Fanny’s first glance, for piano: for piano: her the opportunityallowed to edit this opus carefully, and the inclusion of pieces is a clear indication they were month of her life. By the time of the publication time of the By the of in 1847 life. of her month Opera 5-7, prepared, she had collections additional the three died. already she had

is Juli Das Vom Vom is the is depicts

chorale with ensuing with September From heaven on on heaven From November Fanny composed Fanny [ Faust . Des Osterfestes Vom Himmel hoch hoch Himmel Vom

already the first the already In such great danger danger In such great the hunter of the vignetteof the hunter the

, We thank you Lord thank you We through the ages. through

. For having watched For , The old year is past, year The old , Christ ist erstanden October da komm ich her. da komm ich with interludes the phrases as between

, the original includes virtuoso serenade the (postlude) quotes yet a third chorale, chorale, third a yet quotes (postlude) Part I, lines 744–745 I, Part

: , Fanny quotes the Christmas Fanny , Juni preceded by the sound of playful snow flurries. the sound of playful flurries. snow by preceded , Opus 2, with no indication of a programmatic with no indication of a programmatic Opus 2, , , Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Goethe, von Wolfgang Johann Nachspiel Vom Himmel hoch, hoch, Himmel Vom is a capriccioso, an epigraph from Goethe alluding to an epigraph from is a capriccioso,

is an extended pastoral harvest song. pastoralextended an is harvest song. December

I come here.] I come , , at last a song of the flowering of of flowering the of song a last at Spring , Jesus Christ, Daß uns in so grosser G’fahr, us, over Zeit und Jahr hast lang’ Behutet In briefA ist Jahr vergangen Das alte Wir danken dir Herr Jesu Christ, ndiget ihr dumpfen Glocken schon schon ihr dumpfenundiget Glocken Verk Feierstunde? erste bells announce muffled you Do of Easter? ceremony April Vier Lieder throbs with romantic brooding, and Wilhelm and embodies the brooding, with romantic throbs with his sketch shepherd. of a despondent drought emotional August as the second lifetime, only published during month Fanny’s of of technique song appears again in this The three-hand link. Horn calls permeate lament. A somber perhaps a self-portraitWilhelm. of meditating a monk sketch showing Wilhelm’s the winter of life, a tomb. by hoch Himmel Sebastian and her son been the models for might have Fanny the sketch Mary of the mother catching her child descending phrase of The opening heaven. from included: high ist Jahr vergangen alte improvised Germana have might time the of organist church calendar As one year the singing of a congregation. to inspire the chorale broadens text closesyear, fleeting to begin another gaze of human life: seasons to the one’s quoting the Easter chorale the Easter quoting if asks Faust (below), Goethe from In the epigraph variations. after Easter Day announce the bells hearing already a choir of chorale. singing this same Easter angels depicted capriciousnessthe of year, time at that weather the of in brief interrupted lilting melodies of sunshine flurrying by making us doubt Spring will ever of rain snow, passages and The resolves to the opening of closing chord truly again. come Mai of versions two the right while hand both hands, melody interspersed between arpeggiationcontinues the left and and bass, hand the chords same the embodies final serenade The technique. three-hand the within a simpler song affectgentle love writing of a style.

] Das Das Das to be While August. August.

Das Jahr kleine Arbeit kleine Das Jahr April December links seamlessly to had been passed down been had The fair score of The fair score ]…which shall symbolize Januar with visions of the themesthe of visions with (second version), and version), (second also reappears throughout the throughout also reappears June Das Jahr Das , viel Spaß viel Das Jahr. Das Jahr. Januar Mai (Ein Traum) ,

became a profound one-hour cycle, a timeless cycle, becameone-hour profound a Februar Januar August is a dream dream a is

, one of the last movements of of the last movements one , (March) commences with a Lenten commences (March) in which prelude , depicting the time of Carnival in a playful scherzo, Carnivalof time the depicting playfula in scherzo, ,

kleine Arbeit to be published in 2000. to be published in 2000. März Januar In a letter dated November 11, 1841 to an Italian friend, 1841 to an Italian friend, 11, In a letter dated November The final fair copy of copy final fair The . See facsimile listed in the bibliography to the paper. See listed in the bibliography facsimile . included with the corresponding movement in the fair copy of included in the fair copy movement with the corresponding Jahr The sketches of the months are by Wilhelm Hensel from 1842, by 1842, Wilhelm Hensel from The sketches are of the months the tolling bell is assimilated, and then looks to Easter Day, Day, Easter to looks then and tollingthe bell assimilated, is Februar interruptingthough toll oftime the signal to octaves solemn Lent approaches. The opening theme of The ending of following months. to be heard in to be heard still largely overlooked, I commend to you the months of the months to you I commend still largely overlooked, Jahr. composed, the 12 months of the year.” Over four months of composition, Over four of composition, months of the year.” the 12 months this us with meaning. time given on living the reflection Fanny Hensel writes of a “little writes Hensel [ of a piece of work Fanny [ me a lot of fun that give included in the Mendelssohn Archives. This allowed a modernThis allowed included Archives. in the Mendelssohn of version autograph final of Fanny’s and a facsimile version Jahr the German musicologist Beatrix Borchard (b. 1950) in 1992, in 1992, 1950) (b. Beatrix Germanthe Borchard musicologist After an attempt at of the score. to the value the loser awoke eventually he sold the autograph at a veryauctioning high price, be to Library it for a modest price to the National of Berlin, winner receiving manuscripts of Felix, the “loser” inheriting “loser” the manuscripts of Felix, winner receiving including Fanny, pieces by chancea withmeeting through but lost, been have might well through descendants of the the Mendelssohn of descendants and lastthrough the distributed the familywithin drawing of lots, result the as

THE JOURNAL of the ASSOCIATION OF ANGLICAN MUSICIANS † REPRINTED FROM VOLUME 29, NUMBER 7 (SEPTEMBER 2020) BY PERMISSION 4 THE JOURNAL of the ASSOCIATION OF ANGLICAN MUSICIANS † REPRINTED FROM VOLUME 29, NUMBER 7 (SEPTEMBER 2020) BY PERMISSION 5

for set set

The for , on the on but also Die erste Die erste , Pastorale at her home, at her home, O daß ich tausend tausend O daß ich for piano, violin, violin, for piano,

Piano Trio , Meine Seele ist stille ist Seele Meine at her home

Piano Trio in d minor Trio Piano s Lebt Alle wohl, und laßt Lebt Alle wohl, Piano Trio in d minor d in Trio Piano ork Ich will von Gottes Güte Gottes von will Ich Sonntagsmusiken W Piano Trio Piano Trio The soprano aria, The soprano aria, hamber (Farewell, and I hope to hear from you.) and I hope to hear from (Farewell, C of 1847, April 11, in honor of Rebecka. Rebecka. of honor in April 11, 1847, of of the third movement, an aria from his an aria from movement, of the third . Fanny had premiered the premiered had Fanny . . The final words of Fanny’s last letter to Felix to letter last Fanny’s of words final The . and the final chorus, and the final

Lied , Piano Quartet in A-flat Major The the chorus quoting motives from a familiar German the chorus from motives quoting , sets Psalm 62:1-2. An alto recitative follows, drawing follows, recitative alto An Psalm 62:1-2. , sets , she also composed several chamber works, including a several she also composed chamber works, , Sonntagsmusiken Though lieder for voice and piano dominate Fanny Hensel’s Hensel’s Fanny piano dominate voice and Though lieder for Fanny Hensel composed the Hensel composed Fanny this survey by be inspired the you to study and share May Ein Deutsches Requiem. Requiem. Ein Deutsches Bach. Her son was known as Sebastian, and the cantata itself as Sebastian, was known son Her Bach. a Following style. Baroque to Bach’s hearkens first the chorus of the cantata, orchestra, zu Gott Fanny revealing and Song Gospel of John the of Solomon, on Brahms as Johannes Bible, of the intimate knowledge Hensel’s likewise would (1833-1897) in his choice demonstrate of texts for hätte Zungen Mentzer the German pastor Johann a poem by (1658-1734), Loblied, (1691-1758). König Balthasar Johann chorale this text by on very be offered may work The effectively both in its entirety or drawing the soprano choruses on solo and two as individual anthems. oeuvre Trio String and a PianoPiano Quartet Quartet (1822), (1834), (1847). was encouraged to publish at last, and for the musicians in and for the musicians to publish at last, was encouraged the treasures persisted to uncover decadeswho have recent 1839 Fanny May from In a letter to Felix of her manuscripts. recent death of a Berlinyoung on the at the professor reflected if a number of years, “Regardless of one’s of forty-one: age a one has lived then has filledperson their life with meaning, Wilhelm her husband Felix, and for her brother For life.” long she the extinguishing of the joy the grief at her sudden death, the Yet, been unbearable. have well must to their lives, brought by in the music on Hensel continues unique spirit of Fanny two piano quartetstwo and even (1785-1786) quartet a piano by Fanny in role piano’s the though brother, old twelve-year her rather quartet piano is almost that of a solo concerto, Hensel’s was not published until 1989, work This than a chamber work. death. Hensel’s after142 years Fanny and cello during as a the winter of 1846-1847 violin, piano, Rebecka (1811-1858). sister, forbirthday her younger present last the posthumouslypublished was It 11, Opus 1850 as in work The to appear with an opus number. works of Fanny’s including his own quotes her brother, in the and, oratorio first refers severalwonderful she times to In her final journal entries, experiences of performing the lack forinspiration of newa troubling a of composition. stroke a of died Hensel Fanny 1847, 14, May month, next the choruswhile preparing for a the cantata Felix, her brother featuring by a work Walpurgisnacht to us: 1847 sound on Februaryon 1, hören. etwas Euch von to us Hensel that reaches of Fanny voice amazing musical Fanny I am deeply grateful that years. the fleeting through viola, and cello, was composed in 1822 when Fanny Hensel in 1822 when Fanny was composed and cello, viola, by Mozart’s seems inspired work The old. was seventeenyears

of of forthe (1831), (1831), ) and he Ausgang. Ausgang. Nachspiel Nachspiel Lobgesang Lobgesang Musik für die By September ( . ) Eingang (Song of Praise) (Song of Praise) Lobgesang ). Any inspiration inspiration Any ). s Zum Fest der heiligen Zum Fest , Fanny composed an composed Fanny , ork s Präludium in F Ausgang . She began composing . W Lobgesang Lobgesang ork W Polterabend horal ; 1831), and 1831), ; C rgan O recht daran erfreut daran recht habe Postludium in G Postludium acred S . For chorus, soprano and alto soloists, and soprano and alto soloists, chorus, For . For the music of her wedding on Saturday, Saturday, on of her wedding the music For

(Sunday in at the Hensel home musicales) . , a 1731 instrument built by Joachim Wagner Wagner a 1731 instrument Joachim built by , Oratorium nach Bildern nach derOratorium Bibel as a composition with which she was pleased to the as a composition give a glimpse of her knowledge of the art of her knowledge a glimpse of the give

Fanny and Felix had agreed that she would compose compose would that she agreed had and Felix Fanny Lobgesang 4

3 (1833). While works sacred her turnin she judges (1833). (1831), (1831), Despite Felix’s review, I highly commend to readers all of I highly to readers commend review, Felix’s Despite In a letter to Felix on February 4, 1836, Fanny refers to a to refers Fanny 1836, February on 4, Felix to letter a In On the morning of Friday, October 2, Fanny met with Fanny October 2, On the morning of Friday, Fanny Hensel’s ingenious incorporationingenious chorale of themes Hensel’s Fanny only child, Felix Ludwig , named after her Ludwig Sebastian Hensel, Felix only child, Sebastian and Johann Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix, brother not even published until 2002 and only performed in her Sonntagsmusiken was dedicatedwork to the first birthdayThe of her Berlin. orchestra, Fanny had composed composed had Fanny orchestra, While Felix’s 1831. February to June 14, from earlier setting was Fanny’s 1840 is frequently performed, Felix’s critique. critique. Felix’s her and highlight here these very works sacred imaginative cantata Lobgesang Lobgesang point of exuberance ( dashed by these earlythough to revise were works sacred Toten der Cholera-Epidemie Toten Cäcilia the soprano of aria she makes special mention from harshly, in that area.” Reflecting on this, she had reviewed her sacred reviewed her sacred she had on this, Reflecting in that area.” which included the extended works works, Hiob comment he had made to her in Leipzig, that she “shouldn’t “shouldn’t that she to her in Leipzig, made he had comment lie since my talents don’t longer any music sacred compose by Fanny would be wonderful additions to wedding repertoire repertoire to wedding additions be wonderful would Fanny by today. time to play the organ herself during her Friday visit to the the organ herself duringtime to play her Friday Parochialkirche pieces organ These two and pedal. manuals, two with 32 stops, give to Grell, for learnto him for morningthe in her play and Grell, to give the on A letter she wrote to Felix afternoonSaturday wedding. had wished she had she so how notes morning of her wedding and friends at a traditional exiting procession, to a splendid piece ready had 12:30 a.m. and by after 9:00 p.m. the Berlin Singakademie, to hear him play her organ piece him play to hear the Berlin Singakademie, the eve By the evening, forcomposed the entering procession. for the no organ work she still had of her wedding, entertaining amidst her family suggestion, Wilhelm’s At August. a family friend from (1800-1886), Grell the organist Eduard excuse of a cabrioletexcuse September on accident 17 in London neither cameGermany to Felix his knee, in which he injured begun in the sketch he had nor completed for wedding the 28, Fanny had composed her own her own composed had Fanny 28, at that late date still in the mail looking entering procession, with the However, her brother. piece from for companion a October 3, 1829 to Wilhelm Hensel at the Parochialkirche of Wilhelm to 1829 the Parochialkirche Hensel at October 3, Berlin, ( for the enteringthe organ music procession ( for the exiting procession the music into the months of March, December, and the December, of March, into the months Jahr Das church organist Susan Jane Matthews, DMA, DMA, Jane Matthews, Susan ofMusic is Director ARSCM, Church, Episcopal Paul’s at St. and California, Burlingame, Paul’s offoundingSt. the director previously She was Choir School. ofOrganist Cathedral, Grace of and Director San Francisco, Cathedral, Michael’s Music at St. She is a graduate Idaho. Boise, of Haverford the and College A of Music. Eastman School she for womenchurch, the in musicians advocate passionate Hensel. the music of in Demessieux and Fanny Jeanne specializes www.susanjanematthews.com

, .” . Oxford: Oxford: . Das Jahr (great fun) (great is the oldest Sonata III in III Sonata Fanny Hensel Hensel Fanny ß Champaign: Champaign: viel Spa viel 27 (2008): 359-395. 27 (2008): Chicago: The University of Chicago: Parochialkirche Parochialkirche RSCM Church Music Quarterly Church RSCM ” . hy From Sprituals to Symphonies: African- Symphonies: Sprituals to From Divas in the Convent: Nuns, Music & Nuns, in the Convent: Divas The Letters of Fanny Hensel to Felix Felix to Hensel Fanny ofThe Letters -Century Italy. -Century Italy. Kassel: Furore Verlag, 2000. Verlag, Furore Kassel: th Hillsdale, NY: Pendragon Press, 1987. Press, Pendragon NY: Hillsdale, Fanny Hensel: The Other Mendelssohn Hensel: Fanny Faksimile: Das Jahr. Zwölf Charakterstücke für Charakterstücke Zwölf Das Jahr. Faksimile: at the Hensel home at Leipzigerstrasse, No. 3, 3, No. at Leipzigerstrasse, at the Hensel home . Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel, 2002. & Härtel, Breitkopf Leipzig: . p ibliogra : cher B s ü Gartensaal Chicago Press, 1995. Chicago Press, 2010. Oxford University Press, Music. their and Composers AmericanWomen 2002. University of Illinois Press, Tageb Composers of Women ( 42-44. June 2020): Defiance in 17 Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn. das Fortepiano. and Meaning in Vignettes, Epigrams, Poetic Journal of Research Musicological ndnote Felix carefully kept 279 of Fanny’s letters sent to him over letters sent to him over carefully kept 279 of Fanny’s Felix In 1845 Felix reused memories of the sketch, which he no memories reused of the sketch, In 1845 Felix Built between 1695 and 1714, 1695 and 1714, Built between elected

The Walker-Hill, Helen. Helen. Walker-Hill, Todd, R. Larry. Larry. R. Todd, Matthews, Susan Jane. “Bring the Glad Tidings: A Great Host A Great Tidings: “Bring the Glad Susan Jane. Matthews, Craig A. Monson, Klein, Hans-Günter, and Rudolf Elvers, editors. editors. and Rudolf Elvers, Hans-Günter, Klein, Kimber, Marian Wilson. “Fanny Hensel’s Seasons of Life: Seasons of Life: Hensel’s “Fanny Wilson. Marian Kimber, Citron, Marcia J. J. Marcia Citron, Fanny. Hensel, S longer could locate, for the opening march of his of his for the opening march could locate, longer Opus 65 for organ. A Major, glockenspiel have been restored, though not the organ. glockenspiel been restored, have 4 3 of worship. place church in Berlin built as a Protestant the building and its famous II, War World duringBombed been housed since 1973 at the Bodleian Library Oxford at University. a period of 26 years at his home in Leipzig, and as he toured and as he toured in Leipzig, at his home a period of 26 years her letters He had and England. France , throughout received, 5000 letters he had with a total of some along bound, have Books” “Green These leather. in green in 27 volumes that allowed audience seating to extend outside. audience seating that allowed 2 1 Berlin hall foot)(46 x 25 was a large columns, imposing with and movable glass panels 26-foota vaulted ceiling (over high), E surrounds us. To all who have hesitated to share their musical their to share hesitated all who have To us. surrounds you. hear from I hope to voice, letting her musical voice be heard. May we alltruly seek to we May be heard. musical voice letting her myriadhear the that drawgift our senses to the voices of ever souls anew our own awakening beauty to the that life, which she filled life with meaning. I hope you might discover might discover you I hope which filled she lifemeaning. with not only Hensel of Fanny music in the which found she in strength creative profound but also the

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