These private, invitation-only events gave Hensel an outlet to perform and grow as a musician. Hensel revived a family tradition of hosting Sunday musical salons in the 1830s, called the Sonntagsmusiken. In time, she composed over 500 musical works. Hensel did eventually settle into a prescribed domestic role after she married in 1829, but she continued playing and writing music.
Even her father, who had supported her musical education throughout her upbringing, wrote an 1820 letter advising Hansel that while music may become her brother Felix's profession, for her "it can and must only be an ornament, never the basis of your being and doing". And, he always took her critical advice to heart, even modifying or entirely cutting out anything she found questionable.Įven though Fanny Hensel may have had dreams of her own to pursue a life in music as her brother did, society at the time, prohibited women from pursuing musical professions. He'd always regularly submitted his compositions to his big sister's discerning musical eye and ear.
Both young siblings received a broad education and by 1818, 9-year-old Felix and 12-year-old Fanny had begun their first compositions and had their first performances young Felix's in public concerts and young Fanny's in front of private audiences.įelix Mendelssohn affectionately referred to Fanny as "Minerva," (Roman goddess of wisdom) for her superb musical and intellectual acumen.
0 kommentar(er)
