Louise Farrenc: Celebrating a Forgotten Genius
About Louise Farrenc
Louise Farrenc (1804-75) was a French composer and virtuoso pianist. Highly-acclaimed during her lifetime, she is unquestionably deserving of our continued admiration today. You can hear the classical influence of her teacher in composition, Hummel, in many of her works. Yet, like her male contemporaries, she experimented with increasingly complex harmonies and compositional structures throughout her lifetime. Robert Schumann spoke highly of her piano compositions, and today she is particularly respected for her large collection of chamber music.
Recognition and Rediscovery
It’s no secret that many women wrote music prolifically only to be under-recognised or completely forgotten. As with so many things, our musical traditions favoured the repeated performances by a handful of famous men. Thankfully, there has been a recent movement to increase diversity in programming classical music concerts. This has led to the rediscovery of many wonderful female composers, with their works now available again in published sheet music. Record labels and streaming services like Spotify are also helping to bring these musical treasures back into the limelight.
Key Compositions by Louise Farrenc
Variations Brillante sur la Cavatina d’Anna Bolena de Donizetti
Variations brillante sur la cavatina d’Anna Bolena de Donizetti (Op. 15) should be the first port of call for any bel canto opera-lovers. In turns charming and virtuosic, this set of variations is a delight for both listeners and players alike.
Variations Brillante sur un Thème du Colporteur de George Onslow
Variations brillante sur un thème du Colporteur de George Onslow (Op. 10) bears similarities to Mozart’s Fantasy in C Minor and Beethoven’s 32 Variations in C Minor. This work features themes from the forgotten opera La Colporteur (The Peddler) by George Onslow. The piece alternates between lyrical and virtuosic sections, showcasing Farrenc’s compositional versatility.
Etudes
Etudes (Op. 26) offer a range of styles, from the singable melodies of the late Classical period to fugues in the traditional Baroque style, and even virtuosic showpieces. These well-crafted studies are perfect for those who enjoy playing Bach fugues, Schubert Impromptus, and Mendelssohn’s Songs without Words. Download the score.
Valse Brillante in E-flat Major
Valse brillante in E-flat Major (Op. 48) sparkles across the keyboard with a Chopinesque charm. This piece is sentimental yet flamboyant, showcasing Farrenc’s flair for elegance. Download the score.
Nocturne in E-flat Major
Nocturne in E-flat Major (Op. 49) is as charming as any from Chopin’s famous set of Nocturnes and shows the influence of Irish composer John Field. Its lyrical quality makes it a beautiful addition to any pianist’s repertoire.
Discover More About Louise Farrenc
- Learn more about Louise Farrenc’s life and career on Wikipedia, where you can find a comprehensive list of her works.
- Explore selected works by Louise Farrenc and other female composers on our Classical Piano by Woman Composers Spotify playlist. We’ll continue to add tracks by more composers to celebrate their contributions to music.
