Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel with her captivating album "The Year." This exquisite collection of 13 piano pieces, originally composed for forte-piano, is a journey through the seasons, each month encapsulated in a unique character study. Recorded by the talented Lauma Skride and released on Sony Classical in 2007, this album is a testament to Mendelssohn-Hensel's remarkable talent and her significant contribution to the Romantic era of classical music.
Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel, though often overshadowed by her renowned brother Felix, was a prolific composer in her own right, with a repertoire of over 500 works. "The Year" spans almost her entire adult life, showcasing her evolution as an artist, from youthful experiments to her final compositions written just a year before her untimely death. The album is a poignant reflection of her life and artistic journey, offering a glimpse into the mind of a woman who defied the conventions of her time.
Each piece in "The Year" is a distinct portrait, painting a vivid picture of the corresponding month. From the crisp, invigorating tones of "Januar" to the warm, nostalgic hues of "Dezember," Mendelssohn-Hensel's music is a symphony of nature's rhythms and human emotions. The album concludes with an epilogue, a fitting finale to this musical odyssey.
This album is not just a collection of piano pieces; it's a window into the soul of Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel, a woman who poured her heart and soul into her music. It's a celebration of her life, her struggles, and her triumphs, all encapsulated in 50 minutes of pure, unadulterated classical beauty. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "The Year" is an album that will leave a lasting impression, a timeless piece of art that continues to resonate more than a century after its creation.