A fine composer in her own right, much of Fanny Mendelssohn's work was published under her younger brother Felix Mendelssohn's name, due to the attitudes towards women at the time, so we can't be sure of the extent of her body of work. In 1841 at age 36 she wrote Das Jar, a collection of piano pieces for each month of the year. I love the melody from her September; if you listen to this performance of Fanny's original sheet music you will be able to hear the theme which is somewhat obscured between all her flashy sixteenth notes!
I have simplified and shortened the September melody for early intermediate students. It's great to discover pieces by lesser known women composers, and I hope you will enjoy playing Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel's September this month!
Here is the original sheet music for advanced pianists:
I hope you have some fun things planned for your last few weeks of summer (if you live in the northern hemisphere). Or perhaps it is for you a somewhat somber transition to autumn (as Fanny's minor theme might suggest). I find that I look forward to beginning new projects in September. As kids start their school year with fresh paper and sharpened pencils, I look for inspirational tools to sharpen my focus on what I intend to accomplish this season. And I like to help my students find new pieces to love and learn in September.
What have you been doing and playing this summer? What are you looking forward to doing and playing this fall? Leave us a comment so we can support your practice. With love and music, Gaili
Author, Upper Hands Piano: A Method for Adults 50+ to Spark the Mind, Heart and Soul (a 4-book series!) and
Comments