With its shimmering orchestration and primal rhythms, Carl Orff’s “scenic cantata” Carmina burana is already a mainstay in the canon of contemporary music for choir and orchestra. Its lyrics are based on 24 Medieval poems addressing issues as familiar to us today as they were when they were first written in the 13th century — the fickleness of fortune and wealth, the ephemeral nature of life, the joy of spring’s return, and the pleasures and perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling and, of course, love.

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carmina burana

Lensic Performing Arts Center

Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel’s Overture, a bold and joyful work, hints at the greatness she might have achieved had she been allowed to follow in her beloved brother Felix’s footsteps. Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole blends French elegance with Spanish flair, while Felix Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony is filled with warm melodies and rhythmic energy, capturing the vibrant spirit and color of Italy in its fullest bloom. A program to celebrate the slow return of Spring!

Masterworks 7: Primavera

Martin Woldson Theater

For their second concert, the award-winning Ulysses Quartet invites pianist Olga Kern to join them in a performance of Dvorak's Piano Quintet No. 2 on a program that includes works by Caroline Shaw, Fanny Mendelssohn, and a New York Premiere of a Christina Bouey's quartet "Soul."

Schneider Concerts Presents | Ulysses Quartet with Pianist Olga Kern

The New School

Violist Dana Kelley, celebrated chamber musician and associate principal of the National Symphony, goes in depth exploring works being performed during the Schneider Concerts 2025-2026 season at The New School in four pre-concert talks in December, January, March, and April. Join us for one or all four.

 Schneider Concerts Presents | Dana Kelley, March Preconcert Talk

The first in a multi-year series, this concert centers on Leipzig, Germany, the city where Johann Sebastian Bach lived and worked for the last 27 years of life and produced many of his greatest compositions. The program features Bach’s music alongside the works of those who preceded and followed him, spanning the Baroque through the Romantic eras. The chorus will return to Bach’s cantata Jesu, meine Freude, an audience and singer favorite, and perform works by Schütz, Rheinberger, Reger, and the siblings Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn.

Leipzig Connections

Broadway Presbyterian Church

Celebrate the artistry and innovation of women composers in this inspiring program. Renowned pianist Anne Turgeon performs Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto in A Minor, a masterpiece of elegance and virtuosity. Christine Donkin's Hopewell Cape offers a modern, evocative soundscape, while Fanny Mendelssohn's Overture in C Major radiates energy and grace. The concert culminates with Louise Farrenc''s powerful Symphony No. 3 in G Minor, a dynamic testament to her symphonic genius. Join us for an unforgettable performance honouring the women who have shaped classical music with creativity and brilliance.

Voices of Innovation

The Machine Shop

The words of the immortal bard find new meaning in chamber music by Saariaho and Stravinsky. Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel—sister to Felix—proves there were two child prodigies in the family with this delightful Quartet, written when she was just 16 years old.  

Serenading the Tempest

New World Center

A top-prize winning piano trio, Trio Eris is New England Conservatory's professional trio-in-residence and makes its New York debut with a program of Katherine Balch, Fanny Mendelssohn, and Franz Schubert.

Schneider Concerts Presents | Trio Eris - New York Debut

In this concert, you can expect pure romance! Robert Schumann's Second Symphony practically glows with energy, emotion, and vitality. Written during a time of personal crises, the music tells of inner struggle, but also of triumph and hope. The finale in particular is a true fireworks display, making Schumann's genius and unwavering will to live impressively palpable. On the other hand, Frédéric Chopin's First Piano Concerto transports its listeners to a world full of elegance and passion. With virtuosic runs and enchanting melodies, Chopin demonstrates why he was celebrated as one of the greatest pianists and composers of his time. As the icing on the cake, an overture by Fanny Hensel, the sister of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, who was equally as talented as her brilliant brother, will be performed.

Schumann and Chopin

Palace of Culture

For a long time, the composer Fanny Hensel was overshadowed by the work of her famous brother Felix Mendelssohn - her work received the recognition it deserved far too late. Schumann's violin concerto suffered a similar fate: the virtuosos filed it away as an allegedly unsuccessful contribution to the concerto genre by a composer in the last phase of his life. The heirs even banned its publication for 100 years. Today it has finally found its place in the repertoire. Brahms's pathetic, monumental first symphony concludes the evening.

Innigkeit – Măcelaru & Brahms' Erste

Museum Ludwig

Hailing from Adelaide, Alana Brook is Assistant Director of Music at Wakefield Cathedral.

Alana Brook

Huddersfield Town Hall

Hailing from Adelaide, Alana Brook is Assistant Director of Music at Wakefield Cathedral. Her first recital in Huddersfield Town Hall includes a selection of chorale preludes by women composers. Mendelssohn’s stately Sonata No. 2 is at the heart of the programme, with Vierne’s joyous Final at the close.

This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts. Fiona Shea is a student of Kathleen Winkler.

Fiona Shea, Violin

Alice Pratt Brown Hall

This performance is free and open to the general public.

Faculty Recital: Dr. Nicholas Miguel, baritone & Dr. Yeon-Kyung Kim, piano

Western Illinois University

Two wonderful 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 Julia Schröder.

Kammerorchester Basel

Usher Hall

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Viennese Romantics at the picturesque Markham Vineyards. Set against the backdrop of St Helena, California, this exclusive event is scheduled for Sunday, August 18th, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Dive into the heart of Vienna during the era of Brahms and Korngold, and experience a musical journey that celebrates the genius of these composers alongside the remarkable talents of Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn.

The evening promises a rich program beginning with Brahms' Scherzo from the FAE Sonata, showcasing the virtuosity of violinist Simin Ganatra and pianist Michael Stephen Brown. The legacy of women in music is highlighted through Clara Schumann's Romances, op. 22, and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel's String Quartet in E flat major, H.277, revealing the depth and complexity of their compositions. Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Piano Quintet in E major, op.15, performed by the acclaimed Pacifica Quartet alongside Michael Stephen Brown, will transport you to the early 20th century Vienna, reflecting Korngold's brilliance as a child prodigy.

Hosted at the scenic Markham Vineyards, located at 2812 St Helena Hwy North, St Helena, CA 94574, this event is a must-attend for classical music enthusiasts and those looking to experience the profound beauty and emotion of Viennese Romantic music. Tickets are priced at $85, offering an opportunity to not only enjoy timeless music but also the breathtaking beauty of the vineyards.

Don't miss this exquisite evening of music, history, and the scenic charm of Napa Valley. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable journey through the Viennese Romantics, where the past and present merge in harmonious celebration.

Viennese Romantics

Markham Vineyards

Violin students of Kathleen Winkler

Experience the sublime artistry of the Takács Quartet at Caramoor on April 23, 2023, in the enchanting setting of Katonah, NY. This world-renowned ensemble, now in their 48th season, returns to the Music Room for a performance that promises to captivate and inspire. The concert, starting at 3:00pm, will feature a meticulously curated program including works by Haydn, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, and Schubert’s final quartet in G Major, showcasing the Quartet's unparalleled mastery and the depth of their musical exploration.

The Takács Quartet, celebrated for their innovative programming and profound musical insights, will bring to life Joseph Haydn's String Quartet in F Major, H. III:82, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel's String Quartet in E-flat Major, and Franz Schubert's String Quartet in G Major, D. 887. Each piece has been chosen to highlight the Quartet's versatility and the rich tapestry of chamber music.

Tickets for this exceptional afternoon of chamber music start at $40, offering a range of options for attendees to enjoy this sold-out event. For those eager to be part of this musical journey, a waitlist is available, providing a chance to experience the Quartet's captivating performance.

The Takács Quartet's appearance at Caramoor is a highlight of the season, reflecting the venue's commitment to presenting performances of the highest caliber. As part of their 48th season, the Quartet continues to enchant audiences worldwide with their profound musicality and dynamic performances. This event at Caramoor is an opportunity not to be missed, offering a chance to witness live the artistry of one of the most esteemed string quartets on the global stage.

Takács Quartet

The Rosen House at Caramoor

Lauded as “one of America’s finest young chamber groups” Strad Magazine, the Claremont Trio is sought after for its thrillingly virtuosic and richly communicative performances. First winners of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson International Trio Award and the only piano trio ever to win the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, the Claremonts are consistently lauded for their "aesthetic maturity, interpretive depth, and exuberance" (Palm Beach Daily News).

Claremont Trio

Sunset Center Theater

Tim Burke directs the Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia in full voice together with Royal Northern Sinfonia and Alison Gill on piano.

Bruckner's Second Mass

Hexham Abbey, Hexham

Fanny Hensel's Overture in C major —by Felix's sister, too long overlooked—displays a finely chiseled classical energy and striking melodic freshness. Robert Schumann, a close friend of the Mendelssohn family, responds with his Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op. 52 , a rare and sparkling score that plays with contrasts with freedom and exuberance. Next comes Gabriel Fauré's tender and celebrated Pavane , whose melancholic line has never ceased to enchant us. As a grand finale, Marianne de Martines's Sinfonia —by the 18th - century Viennese composer, harpsichordist, and muse , a pupil of Haydn, Hasse, and Porpora—surprises with its modernity and dramatic vigor.

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 23, 2027

Claremont Trio · Chamber Music Monterey Bay

Feb 27, 2027

Bruckner's Second Mass · Royal Northern Sinfonia

Mar 25, 2027

Eclipses (Coffee Break) · Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier

Past events

9 - 10 May, 2026

carmina burana · The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

28 - 29 Mar, 2026

Masterworks 7: Primavera · Spokane Symphony - Fox Theater Spokane

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