Fanny Mendelssohn

Born November 14, 1805 in Hamburg, Germany

Died May 14, 1847

Nationality: German

Period/Style: Romantic

About the composer:

Fanny Mendelssohn was a marvelous composer and pianist but, like other women musicians of her day, she was limited by the fact that she was a woman.  She had difficulty getting her music published and found it hard to make it in the professional world of music because women weren’t accepted in society at that time.  She was born to a prosperous, educated Jewish family who had a great appreciation for culture, literature, and intellectual discussion.  Her younger brother, Felix, went on to become a very famous conductor and composer.  She often encouraged him and helped him with his music lessons.  The Mendelssohn family had a tradition of “Musical Sundays” where they would all get together and make music, sometimes inviting friends over to join them.  With encouragement from her family, Fanny wrote many songs, over 125 piano pieces, and some music for orchestra.  Her music was some of the finest music ever written, but much of it has never been published. 

About the music:

Overture (11 min)

This was written in 1830. It is written for pairs of all the wind instruments in the orchestra, as well as two trumpets, timpani and strings.  She was very pleased with her work. 

Suggested activities:

Can you name five or more women pioneers?  They can be from any time in history, including right now.  Think of women who have accomplished something that no woman has done before, women who have been recognized or awarded for their achievements, or women you consider to be a “pioneer” in some way.

Draw a picture of a “Musical Sunday” at the Mendelssohn home.