Born in 1805, Fanny Mendelssohn was a German composer and pianist of the early Romantic era. The sister of Felix Mendelssohn, she has 466 compositions credited to her over her career.
Not only did she compose, but she also performed works by Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven. Many who heard her perform praised her for her incredible piano-playing style. However, she rarely performed beyond her family circles.
Several exciting things shaped this composer’s life and music career, some not popularly known. Here are 10 interesting facts about Fanny Mendelssohn that you might not know.
1. Her Mother Predicted Her Career
Lea, Fanny’s mother, was a pianist and composer who studied Bach. When Fanny was born, Lea predicted she would follow in her footsteps, calling her a “Bach fugal fingers.”
Fanny proved to be highly talented with a very good music memory. She memorized and performed “The Well-Tempered Clavier” for her father’s birthday. To her mother’s pride, Fanny continuously improved, perfected her art, and became one of the world’s most famous German composers.
2. She Fell in Love with Wilhelm Hensel
In 1821, Fanny fell in love with a painter named Wilhelm Hensel. She was 16, and he was 17. Although her family initially disapproved due to their close age, they married in 1829. She took his last name, becoming Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel.
Wilhelm supported her unlimited practice in music, which was a precondition for their new union, allowing her to pursue a prolific music career despite societal expectations for women to focus on domestic roles.
3. She Composed Her Wedding Song Just Before the Ceremony
Fanny’s brother Felix promised to compose a song for her wedding but failed to do so. Upset by her brother, Fanny composed her wedding song just hours before dawn without revising it.
Remarkably, the composition was excellent. Her husband loved it, and family and friends were amazed by its quality and relevance for the ceremony.
4. He Was a Model for Wilhelm Hensel
One of Wilhelm Hensel’s famous paintings, called “Miriam’s Songs of Praise,” depicted the Bible story of the Israelites as they were coming from Egypt.
In the painting, there was an image of Miriam as she played music after crossing the Red Sea. Wilhelm used Fanny as a model for the image.
Later on, Queen Victoria saw the painting and noticed Miriam’s beauty. She bought the painting and paid with an emerald ring and a diamond.
5. She Held Music Events at Her Salons
Fanny often performed music with her family. She may have wanted to perform publicly, but women weren’t allowed to due to the gender rules of the time.
Luckily, Fanny had large rooms at her home where she could perform. Some rooms could hold over 100 guests, allowing her to play without breaking social norms.
Over time, she gathered an enthusiastic group of friends and family who loved listening to her music.
6. She Started Publishing Her Music under Her Name at the Age of 40
For a time, Fanny’s music was credited to her more famous brother, Felix Mendelssohn, who was also a composer and followed in their mother’s footsteps.
At 40, Fanny decided to publish her music under her own name. She wrote to Felix, knowing he would object, but she was determined. Sadly, she died a year later and didn’t get to publish many songs under her name.
7. She Made Felix Have an Awkward Encounter with Queen Victoria
Felix was a skilled composer and performer, just like his sister Fanny. One day, Felix was invited to present some music to Queen Victoria, which he did.
The queen complimented the excellent quality of the piece she selected and asked how he created it.
However, the song was actually composed by Fanny. Felix had to admit this, making for an awkward moment.
8. Her Son Had a Long Name
She gave a very long name to her son — Sebastian Ludwig Felix Hensel. He turned out to be the only child of Fanny and Hensel.
When asked the reason for the name, Fanny explained that she wanted to remember the famous composers who had shaped her music career. These included her brother Felix, Beethoven, and Bach.
Along with her own music, she played many of their compositions and was fond of all three composers until she passed. Unfortunately, the son did not become a pianist like her.
9. She Made Over 400 Compositions in Her Lifetime
Fanny composed over 400 pieces in her lifetime. This shows her dedication to creating beautiful piano music.
She practiced each piece carefully until perfecting it. Sadly, most of her music was forgotten for over a century after her death.
In the late 20th century, people rediscovered and started to appreciate her work. Many of her pieces remain popular today.
10. Her Death Was Sudden
On May 14, 1847, Fanny gathered a chorus at her home to rehearse a piece by her brother. While directing, she lost sensation in her fingers, a problem she had experienced before and recovered from.
She went to another room to apply vinegar to her hands, hoping to regain feeling. She even called out that the chorus sounded great. But moments later, she had a stroke and died. Her brother Felix died a few years later from the same condition.
Summing Up Our List Of Facts About Fanny Mendelssohn
Fanny Mendelssohn was an accomplished composer, musician, and music director who made tons of music during her lifetime.
She lived an eventful life where she interacted with the wealthy and mighty and entertained many more at her home.
It was sad that she passed on at a ripe age when she had matured in music. Yet her accomplishments as a female composer resonate up to this day.
