Fanny Mendelssohn - Female composer and sister of Felix Mendelssohn

While I was working on “Hear Ye Israel” from Elijah (by Felix Mendelssohn, Fanny’s brother), Dr. Julianne Baird mentioned that I might enjoy singing some of Fanny Mendelssohn’s songs as well.

I chose to include Fanny Mendelssohn’s “Sehnsucht” because of the poetry and the simple, arching beauty of the vocal lines. It translates to “Longing” and I liked the idea that some of Fanny Mendelssohn’s longing to fully express her musical gifts may have been poured into this composition, and that she may have related personally to the text as she was composing. It has the simple, yet somewhat restless beauty and emerging Romantic sensibilities that one might associate with the great songwriter Schubert.

Heather FetrowAugust 16, 2019History of Women’s Art Song, Fanny Mendelssohn Comments

Finally, her story is being sung

For centuries women’s musical work has been hidden from view. The time has come for these stories to be sung for the all world to hear. The musical gems of women should be treasured and proudly displayed like fine jewels.

Through the musical performances and research of Heather Fetrow and her colleagues, these pearls of music history are finally receiving the adoration they deserve.

Fanny Mendelssohn - Female composer and sister of Felix Mendelssohn