This lecture-concert explores the transformation of Fanny Hensel’s compositions between genres: from solo piano to string quartet.

The program features Hensel’s unfinished fourth Piano Sonata in E-flat Major and her masterful and much-loved String Quartet in E-flat Major, which she derived from her unfinished sonata. You will also hear new string quartet arrangements of two of Hensel’s brilliant but little-known neo-Baroque fugues, and arrangements of her published lieder.

Musical performances will be connected with interstitial talks on Fanny Hensel’s life, her unique harmonic language (which her brother Felix Mendelssohn described as “too much”), and the origins and evolution of her string quartet, delivered by Molly from Henselpushers.

Tickets are $20. Purchase tickets here or at the door.

Program:

Hensel: Die frühen Gräber for String Quartet (arranged by Lewis Patzner)
Hensel: Lied, op.8 no.2 for String Quartet (arranged by Lewis Patzner)
Hensel: Fugata for String Quartet (arranged by Henselpushers)
Hensel: Fuga for String Quartet (arranged by Henselpushers)
Hensel: Piano Sonata in E-flat Major (unfinished)
Hensel: String Quartet in E-flat Major

Performers:

The Town Quartet
Monica Chew, piano
Henselpushers, interstitial talks

This lecture-concert explores the transformation of Fanny Hensel’s compositions between genres: from solo piano to string quartet.

***This event is being revived in April 2026 in Berkeley California! View the upcoming listing here.***

The program features Hensel’s unfinished (and possibly never before recorded or performed) fourth Piano Sonata, as well as her masterful and much-loved String Quartet, which she derived from her unfinished sonata. You will also hear world premiere string quartet arrangements of two of Hensel’s brilliant but little-known fugues, as well as arrangements of her published lieder.

Musical performances will be connected with interstitial talks on Fanny Hensel’s life, her unique harmonic language (which Felix described as “too much”), and the origins and evolution of her string quartet, delivered by Molly from Henselpushers.

This concert is part of the Glenview Classical Series.

Tickets are $20.

Program:

Hensel: Die frühen Gräber for String Quartet (arranged by Lewis Patzner)
Hensel: Lied, op.8 no.2 for String Quartet (arranged by Lewis Patzner) *
Hensel: Fugata for String Quartet (arranged by Henselpushers) *
Hensel: Fuga for String Quartet (arranged by Henselpushers) *
Hensel: Piano Sonata in E-flat Major (unfinished) **
Hensel: String Quartet in E-flat Major

*world premiere
**possible world premiere?

Performers:

The Town Quartet
Monica Chew, piano
Henselpushers, interstitial talks