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Washington Center for the Performing Arts

Fanny Mendelssohn and Gustav Mahler brush shoulders with composers of our time, past and present connecting through musical memories.

Midnight Memories:  Mendelssohn, Mahler, Moderns

Noe Valley Ministry

91st Anniversary Season

Cleveland Museum of Art

This concert is included in these packages: Chamber Music Dialogues, Fantasy and Fury: Music of the Romantic, and Season Sampler.

Musical Dialogues: Bach and Beyond

Colburn School

Moszkowski, Mendelssohn, Beethoven

Benaroya Hall

This concert offers a moving portrait of the profound bond between Fanny Hensel and her brother Felix Mendelssohn—a relationship of deep musical collaboration and mutual mentorship. Fanny was Felix’s “Minerva,” whose wisdom and discerning advice shaped his compositions. The siblings grew up studying with the same teachers and were deeply influenced by J.S. Bach. Fanny’s salon became a cultural hub, but her music was rarely published due to the social constraints on women of her time. Felix, by contrast, enjoyed public acclaim and even published some of Fanny’s songs under his own name. He later revealed to Queen Victoria that her beloved “Italien” was actually Fanny’s composition. Their connection endured until the end: Fanny died of a stroke at 41, and Felix, grief-stricken, died just six months later.

Fanny And Felix Mendelssohn: A Musical Family

Hanna Center

Chief Conductor Jaime Martín presents a joyful program of classical and early romantic treasures. Join us for an evening of pure musical bliss, beginning with Fanny Mendelssohn’s delightful Overture and concluding with her brother Felix’s romp through Italy in the Fourth Symphony.

Mozart and the Mendelssohns

Ulumbarra Theatre

Frankston Arts Centre

Melbourne Town Hall

Fanny Mendelssohn’s elegantly romantic Overture sets the mood for this concert of classical favourites. Rhapsodic melodies accented by pizzicato allusions lead the way to virtuosity and British bravado in Elgar’s much-loved Cello Concerto, although his post WW1 moroseness is never far from the surface, with assertive yet austere themes, a jaunty energy and meditative qualities. As soloist we welcome BBC NOW debutant, the multi award-winning cellist Bryan Cheng.

Elegant Romantics

Theatr Brycheiniog

Wales Millennium Centre

The connection between Niels W. Gade, who became one of the most significant, if not powerful, composers in Denmark in the 19th century, and the fine Mendelssohn family in Germany is important. It was Felix Mendelssohn who premiered Gade's first symphony in Leipzig; and then Gade also became part of the very fertile environment of the city there. Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel could not, as the time (and both father and brother) demanded, be a professional composer and musician – for her, music was simply "an extra piece of jewelery she could wear". But she both played and composed and was highly regarded; also by her brother, who for her 25th birthday composed Psalm 115 as a gift. Gade's probably best-loved work, Morgensang fra Elverskud, and the gift from her brother are respectively before and after her own cantata Lobgesang, which she composed a year after giving birth to her son, Sebastian. It is a work that has references to JS Bach, whose importance was enormous, and which the two Mendelssohn siblings

Mendelssohn, Gade & Kor72

Odense Concert Hall

Expressive, dynamic, spectacular – the Aris Quartet of Germany has been at home on international stages for the past fifteen years. With its unmistakable sound, it has long been known as one of the world’s top-rank chamber music ensembles. The musicians have performed in venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Herbst Theatre San Francisco, and the Philharmonie de Paris.

Aris Quartet

Mercy Center Burlingame

Vienna Academy Orchestra

Musikverein Wien

The AHE commence their season with two wonderful quartets that morph effortlessly from
the lofty to the lowbrow. Then Fanny Mendelssohn’s quartet, apparently the first ever composed by a woman, offers an elegant, if far from ladylike, riposte.

Haydn's Sunrise

Berry Uniting Church

Bowral Memorial Hall

Wesley Music Centre

Riverside Theatres

Sydney Opera House

### Elias Quartet Peoples' Symphony Concerts

**Event:** Elias Quartet PSC Debut  
**Date:** Saturday, March 8, 2025  
**Time:** 7:30 PM  
**Location:** Washington Irving  
**Virtual Concert Availability:** Monday, March 10 - Saturday, March 15, 2025

**Tickets:**
- **Arens Series Tickets:** Available for purchase
- **Single Tickets:** Starting at $20, general admission after October 7, 2024

**Program:**
1. **F. J. Haydn:** Quartet in D minor, Op. 103
2. **Fanny Mendelssohn:** Quartet in E-flat Major
3. **Felix Mendelssohn:** Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80

**Performers:**
- **Sara Bitlloch and Donald Grant:** Violins
- **Simone van der Giessen:** Viola
- **Marie Bitlloch:** Cello

**About the Elias String Quartet:**
The Elias String Quartet, named after Mendelssohn’s oratorio "Elijah" (Elias in German), is renowned for their intense and vibrant performances. Formed in 1998 at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, they have studied with the Alban Berg quartet in Cologne and were the resident String Quartet at Sheffield’s Music in the Round as part of Ensemble 360 from 2005 to 2009. They are currently the ensemble in residence at the RNCM, where they continue to teach and perform.

**Additional Information:**
For more details, visit [eliasstringquartet.com](http://eliasstringquartet.com). 

**Photo Credit:** Kauppo Kikkas

Join us for an evening of exquisite music featuring the last quartet compositions of Haydn and Felix Mendelssohn, as well as Fanny Mendelssohn's sole quartet. Don't miss this opportunity to experience one of Europe's great young ensembles live!

Elias Quartet 

Washington Irving High School

This concert of contrasts sees a pair of pioneering female composers facing off against two pillars of the male classical establishment. Fanny Mendelssohn was as prodigious a talent as her brother, Felix, and only her gender prevented her from getting the recognition she deserved. Her lively and lyrical Overture in C has a fascinating contemporary counterpart in Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte. The Pulitzer Prize-winner was inspired by hearing a performance of a Haydn String Quartet to create a mesmerising, off-kilter minuet.

Sinfonia Viva

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall

Fanny Mendelssohn was a prodigious talent, and only her gender prevented her from getting the recognition she deserved. Her lively and lyrical Overture in C has a fascinating contemporary counterpart in Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte. The Pulitzer Prize-winner was inspired by hearing a performance of a Haydn String Quartet to create a mesmerising, off-kilter minuet.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8

This stunning concert, directed by and featuring the award-winning violinist Hyeyoon Park, takes us on an epic journey from the bustling piazzas of Florence, where Tchaikovsky composed his Souvenir de Florence, to the tranquil beauty of the river separating Wales and England, in Finzi’s Severn Rhapsody, to Fanny Mendelssohn’s impassioned and moving String Quartet.

Hyeyoon Park with Sinfonia Cymru

St George's Bristol

Fanny Hensel (née Mendelssohn) and Louise Farrenc had everything they needed to reach the forefront of music history: an art-loving family, early musical support, sufficient financial means and, last but not least, enviable talent. There was only one thing they both lacked: the right gender. Fanny, just as brilliant a child prodigy as Felix, bowed for a long time to the will of her younger brother, who was convinced of the then common cliché that women were only capable of composing small, lyrical pieces. However, they lacked the strength for the supreme disciplines such as the string quartet or the symphony. Fanny Hensel's only string quartet, published in the 20th century, is a romantic masterpiece that proves her brother wrong. Louise Farrenc achieved great renown in 19th century Paris as a pianist, composer, and even as a conductor and professor. After her death, she was forgotten and was only rediscovered in the 1980s as part of gender research. Farrenc's string quintet is an arrangement of her popular nonet, which achieved a high level of fame outside France. The occasion on which Farrenc created the string-only version and whether it was ever performed remains a mystery. In addition to these two European women, two contemporary American composers are also in focus: Gabriela Lena Frank, born in California, traces her own roots in her works, which are fed by Peruvian-Chinese-Lithuanian-Jewish influences. In her work "Leyendas," she mixes elements of western classical and Andean folk music traditions. Jessie Montgomery has become a strong voice in American music in the 21st century through her artistic use of improvisation, poetry, and social awareness in her music. One of her latest works will have its premiere in this program.

Ladies First

Gasteig HP8

Pianist Vesselin Stanev and flutist Eva Oertle perform a concert celebrating music by female composers from Fanny Mendelssohn to Mélanie Bonis, alongside Brahm’s Sonata No. 2 in E flat major, a piece originally written for clarinet.

Eva Oertle & Vesselin Stanev

St George's Hall

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon with the CBSO Youth Orchestra as they present "Mendelssohn 5" on Sunday, 3 November 2024, at 3:00pm in the prestigious Symphony Hall, Birmingham. This concert promises to be a spectacular showcase of the Midlands' finest young musical talent under the baton of the esteemed Kazuki Yamada, our beloved Music Director.

The program will open with the enchanting Overture in C Major by Fanny Mendelssohn, setting the stage for a journey through lush melodies and dramatic compositions. Following this, the audience will be treated to Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, a piece inspired by the beautiful folk melodies of Scotland. This particular performance will feature the extraordinary talents of Hana Chang, a YCAT Artist and one of Classic FM’s Rising Stars of 2024, on the violin.

The afternoon will reach its climax with Mendelssohn’s powerful Symphony No.5, also known as the Reformation Symphony, a work that combines deep spirituality with the composer's signature melodic brilliance. This piece promises to be a fitting finale to an inspiring program that showcases both the historical depth and the vibrant future of classical music.

The concert is set to last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, with a 20-minute interval, allowing guests to reflect and anticipate the musical delights of each half. Tickets are priced at £26, with a per-ticket commission of £3.50 for tickets over £15, ensuring accessibility to this cultural highlight. Additionally, we offer a range of discounts for students, 18-30s, under-18s, and benefit recipients, as part of our commitment to making music accessible to all.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the joy and inspiration of live classical music performed by the next generation of musical stars. Book your tickets now for an afternoon that promises to be both uplifting and unforgettable.

CBSO Youth Orchestra: Mendelssohn 5

The International Convention Centre

Music in the Round’s new Visiting String Quartet made their spellbinding Sheffield debut with a rapturously received celebration of the quartets of Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn in spring 2024.

They return to Sheffield this autumn for an immersive afternoon and evening exploring more of Felix Mendelssohn’s quartets

Mendelssohn Day: String Octet

Crucible Theatre

Join us for an evening of beautiful serenades. This program includes Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel’s only orchestral work, Stravinsky’s complete ballet based on the 18th century seducer, Pulcinella; and Richard Wagner’s orchestral settings of Mathilde Wesendonck’s love poetry. 

Concert I: Serenade

Numerica Performing Arts Center

Two women composers of the Romantic era hold the spotlight in this imaginative concert of 19th-century music. The ‘fantastic’ (The Guardian) Kammerorchester Basel performs under the direction of Julia Schröder.

Kammerorchester Basel

Usher Hall

Join us for an enchanting evening of classical music at Paxton House, as we proudly present "Music at Paxton: Consone Quartet with Helen Charlston" on Saturday, 20th July, from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. This opening concert of their 2024 residency marks a special collaboration between the esteemed Consone Quartet and the celebrated mezzo-soprano, Helen Charlston, a recent BBC New Generation Artist.

The evening promises a journey through the intimate connections between some of the 19th century's most beloved composers. Featuring works by Clara and Robert Schumann, and Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, the program explores the deep friendships and familial ties that inspired these composers. The audience will be treated to a selection of pieces including Clara Schumann's "Six Songs, Op.13," Robert Schumann's "String Quartet in F, Op.41 No.2," and songs by Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, all performed in new arrangements for voice and string quartet by Bill Thorp.

The Consone Quartet, comprising Agata Daraškaitė and Magdalena Loth-Hill on violins, Elitsa Bogdanova on viola, and George Ross on cello, will bring their historically informed performances to the beautiful setting of Paxton House's Picture Gallery. Their collaboration with Helen Charlston promises to breathe new life into these classic compositions, making for an unforgettable evening of music.

Tickets are priced at £32, with concessions available at £26, and student tickets at £18/£16. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the magic of classical music in the stunning surroundings of Paxton House. Book your tickets now and add a touch of musical elegance to your summer.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit our website or contact us at infomusicatpaxton.co.uk.

Music at Paxton: Consone Quartet with Helen Charlston

Paxton House

This concert features Fanny Mendelssohn’s reclaimed ‘Easter Sonata’. Previously lost for over 150 years, and then misattributed to her brother Felix upon its discovery, Fanny was not credited for the Easter Sonata until 2010, nearly 200 years after its composition.

FestivALL: Evensong

Royal College of Music

Jasmine Meyer, piano

Northwestern Bienen School of Music

This elite conductorless chamber orchestra comprised of talented young musicians brings to life a rich program of orchestral works by Haydn, Kalinnikov, Warlock, and Fanny Mendelssohn.

Academy Virtuosi

One California Plaza

The Royal Northern College of Music’s ensemble in residence, the Elias String Quartet, perform works by Fanny Mendelssohn and Schubert, before uniting with acclaimed pianist Jonathan Biss to perform Elgar’s daring Piano Quintet. The Elgar Quintet, composed in the peaceful surroundings of a Sussex summer, was dedicated to the music critic of the Manchester Guardian. Fanny Mendelssohn's Quartet is based on an unfinished piano sonata she wrote five years before. This extraordinary, rhapsodic work is her only mature string quartet, and one of the first surviving string quartets written by a woman. One of Schubert’s most famous chamber works completes this Sunday afternoon concert.

Elias Quartet with Jonathan Biss, piano

Yoko Ono Lennon Centre

Join us for an unforgettable evening of classical music at the prestigious Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin, Germany, on Thursday, 9th November 2023, at 19:30. This special performance features the talented West-Eastern Divan Ensemble, under the artistic direction of Michael Barenboim. The ensemble, comprising Hisham Khoury and Michael Barenboim on violins, Miriam Manasherov on viola, Assif Binness on cello, David Santos Luque on double bass, Mor Biron on bassoon, Daniel Gurfinkel on clarinet, and Ben Goldscheider on horn, will take you on a musical journey through a carefully curated program.

The evening's repertoire includes Elliott Carter's "Figment IV for Solo Viola," Fanny Mendelssohn's "String Quartet in E-flat major," Carter's "Au Quai for Bassoon and Viola" and "Duettone for Violin and Cello," culminating with Ludwig van Beethoven's majestic "Septet in E flat major Op. 20." This selection of works promises to showcase the ensemble's versatility and the rich textures of classical music.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the harmonious blend of cultures and sounds at one of Berlin's most iconic concert halls. Reserve your tickets now for an evening of exquisite music that celebrates the unity and talent of the West-Eastern Divan Ensemble.

Pierre Boulez Saal

SBC 2023 Festival Concert 2

Lincoln Theater Damariscotta

Winners of the Tunnell Trust Awards 2020, the Elmore String Quartet is a dynamic young ensemble formed at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in 2017. The group found early success winning RNCM Chamber Music Prizes, before going on to perform recitals across the UK. They’ve since taken second place at Wigmore Hall’s CAVATINA Intercollegiate Chamber Music Competition, been appointed Junior Fellows in Chamber Music at the RNCM and recorded for BBC Philharmonic’s Diversity in Music programme.

Fanny Mendelssohn

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 28, 2026

3. Congress Park Symphony 2025/2026 · Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt

Mar 8, 2026

Celebrating Women · Bremer Philharmoniker

18 - 19 Apr, 2026

Fanny, Florence & Sam · Sonoma County Philharmonic

Past events

Nov 16, 2025

Listen · Olympia Symphony Orchestra

1 - 2 Nov, 2025

Midnight Memories: Mendelssohn, Mahler, Moderns · Left Coast Chamber Ensemble

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