Mendelssohn, Fanny & Felix / Fanny & Felix Mendelssohn (Joanne Polk, Piano)
| Album: | Fanny & Felix Mendelssohn (Joanne Polk, Piano) | Collection: | Classical | |
| Artist: | Mendelssohn, Fanny & Felix | Added: | Oct 2012 | |
| Label: | Bridge Records | |||
A-File Activity
| Add Date: | 2012-10-28 | Pull Date: | 2012-12-30 | Charts: | Classical/Experimental |
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Recent Airplay
| 1. | Jun 17, 2015: | 6-17a-2016
Fanny M. Sonata In G Minor: I. Allegro Molto Agitato (4:10) |
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Album Review
Larry
Reviewed 2012-10-24
Reviewed 2012-10-24
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was a musical prodigy, and his older sister, Fanny (1805-1847), quite talented. Both composed and performed concerts in the family home before Fanny married in 1830. Some of her works were published under Felix’s name, as her family and society discouraged a public musical life for a woman. Fanny’s sonata was written 20 years after Felix composed his at age 12, and thus demonstrates a more mature pianistic style and structure. The sibs’ preludes and fugues demonstrate the influence of the then newly rediscovered works of J.S. Bach, a composer whom Felix brought to public awareness. Fanny’s prelude and fugue demonstrate more absorption of Bach’s contrapuntal techniques. The remaining works draw on a recently published collection of Fanny’s compositions. Play analogous works for your audience and invite them to guess which is Fanny’s and which Felix’s. It won’t be easy, but it will be fun.
1. Felix. M. Sonata in G minor, Op. 105: I. Allegro (6:29). Monothematic. Dark, a bit ominous, with middle section brightening.
2. Felix. M. Sonata in G minor, Op. 105: II. Adagio (6:06). Relaxed, Romantic lyricism.
3. Felix. M. Sonata in G minor, Op. 105: III. Presto (4:36). Mozartian delicate textures and graceful scales, in a gay minor key manor.
4. Fanny M. Sonata in G minor: I. Allegro molto agitato (4:10). Crashing chords lead to dramatic declamation of a tale of a small scale but serious military struggle.
5. Fanny M. Sonata in G minor: II. Scherzo (4:32). Lilting, with “fairy” music middle (like Felix’s music). An appeal to hear a sad tale, with a lovely, gentle interlude.
6. Fanny M. Sonata in G minor: III. Adagio (3:34). Lyrical. A passionate ballad.
7. Fanny M. Sonata in G minor: IV. Finale: Presto (6:22). Lyrical. An elegant evening celebration.
8. Felix M. Prelude and Fugue: I. Prelude (2:41). Minor key, noble, energetic.
9. Felix M. Prelude and Fugue: II. Fugue (4:44). Chromatic writing, but tuneful, and again energetic.
10. Fanny M. Prelude and Fugue: I. Prelude (2:46). Minor key contemplation.
11. Fanny M. Prelude and Fugue: II. Fugue (3:57). Minor key, 4 voices in intense conversation.
12. Fanny M. Largo (3:30). Tranquil.
13. Fanny M. Allegro di molto (2:42). Like a Bach two-part invention.
14. Fanny M. Prelude and Toccata: I. Prelude (0:58). Perpetual motion.
15. Fanny M. Prelude and Toccata: II. Toccata (2:55). Minor key counterpoint a la Bach with a dotted rhythm.
1. Felix. M. Sonata in G minor, Op. 105: I. Allegro (6:29). Monothematic. Dark, a bit ominous, with middle section brightening.
2. Felix. M. Sonata in G minor, Op. 105: II. Adagio (6:06). Relaxed, Romantic lyricism.
3. Felix. M. Sonata in G minor, Op. 105: III. Presto (4:36). Mozartian delicate textures and graceful scales, in a gay minor key manor.
4. Fanny M. Sonata in G minor: I. Allegro molto agitato (4:10). Crashing chords lead to dramatic declamation of a tale of a small scale but serious military struggle.
5. Fanny M. Sonata in G minor: II. Scherzo (4:32). Lilting, with “fairy” music middle (like Felix’s music). An appeal to hear a sad tale, with a lovely, gentle interlude.
6. Fanny M. Sonata in G minor: III. Adagio (3:34). Lyrical. A passionate ballad.
7. Fanny M. Sonata in G minor: IV. Finale: Presto (6:22). Lyrical. An elegant evening celebration.
8. Felix M. Prelude and Fugue: I. Prelude (2:41). Minor key, noble, energetic.
9. Felix M. Prelude and Fugue: II. Fugue (4:44). Chromatic writing, but tuneful, and again energetic.
10. Fanny M. Prelude and Fugue: I. Prelude (2:46). Minor key contemplation.
11. Fanny M. Prelude and Fugue: II. Fugue (3:57). Minor key, 4 voices in intense conversation.
12. Fanny M. Largo (3:30). Tranquil.
13. Fanny M. Allegro di molto (2:42). Like a Bach two-part invention.
14. Fanny M. Prelude and Toccata: I. Prelude (0:58). Perpetual motion.
15. Fanny M. Prelude and Toccata: II. Toccata (2:55). Minor key counterpoint a la Bach with a dotted rhythm.
Track Listing