Unheralded musical figure: Fanny Mendelssohn, whose compositions were released under her brother's identity.
Fanny Mendelssohn, born on 14 November 1805 in Hamburg, was a talented composer who, despite facing numerous obstacles, made significant contributions to the world of music. Although her brother, Felix Mendelssohn, is widely recognised for his musical genius, it is now becoming increasingly clear that many of the pieces originally published under his name were actually composed by Fanny herself.
From an early age, Fanny showed a remarkable talent for music. She learned to play the piano as a child and continued to compose throughout her life. Despite her brother's disapproval and her father's belief that composition was not a career for women, Fanny continued to create her music, producing over 460 pieces, including many 'Songs without Words'.
One of her most notable compositions, 'Italien', was initially published under Felix's name. This piece, which was one of Queen Victoria's favourite songs, was even performed by Felix in Buckingham Palace. However, today, works that were once attributed to Felix are being re-attributed to Fanny.
Fanny's compositions were not published during her lifetime, but in 1846, when she was 41, she bravely published her first work under her own name. Tragically, she passed away the following year.
Carl Friedrich Zelter, Fanny's composition teacher, once said she was "something special", and today, musicologists believe Fanny Mendelssohn pioneered the 'Songs without Words' musical form.
For those interested in learning more about Fanny Mendelssohn's work, we recommend reading about the 10 greatest pieces of music by this remarkable composer. Her story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of recognising the contributions of women in the world of music.
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