Fanny Hensel began working on 'Das Jahr' (The Year) in 1841, intending it to portray the twelve months.
Recording & Production
The fortepiano used for this recording is a Pleyel from 1851, lovingly restored by Christoph Kern, chosen for its dark, powerful, and spirited sound that suits Fanny Hensel's music.
Instruments
Fanny Hensel preferred the more robust 'English' pianos, like those by Broadwood or Pleyel, over the delicate 'Viennese' or 'German' types, but found them too expensive.
Compositional Technique
Fanny Hensel's 'Das Jahr' includes pianistic virtuosity with devices like hand-crossing and rich passagework, creating the impression of a 'third hand' through concealed melodies.
Composer Biography
Fanny Hensel, born Mendelssohn, was an exceptionally gifted pianist and conductor whose talent was in no way inferior to that of her younger brother, Felix Mendelssohn.
Composer's Artistic Vision
In 'Das Jahr', Fanny Hensel connected a series of smaller character pieces within a narrative framework by arranging them over the course of the year.
Historical Context
Fanny Hensel's artistic ambitions were both encouraged and blocked due to societal expectations for women of her standing, despite her exceptional talent.
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