Studies in Form 1843-1844

Exploring the Limits

This collection features mature piano works Fanny Hensel wrote after a yearlong period of creative block and the sudden death of her mother Lea Mendelssohn in 1842. Hensel’s return to composing in Spring of 1843 was marked by an interest in sonata form and departures from formal and stylistic expectations.

The heart of this collection is the Piano Sonata in g minor (H395), one of only three completed surviving sonatas and Hensel’s last major work for the instrument. The collection also features three works composed before the sonata and three composed after it.

Of the three pieces in this collection preceding the sonata, one (H394) was later published in Hensel’s first opus of solo piano works (op.2). The other two works from 1843 are in modified sonata form, and demonstrate explorations of structure leading up to the sonata. Allegro agitato in g minor (H391) is a particularly thrilling find; at over 200 measures and featuring an unconventional three-themed sonata form, this underappreciated work could have served as the opening movement of the sonata. The Allegretto ma non troppo in e minor (H393) is also in sonata form, but smaller in scale with only one theme.

The three works following the sonata are in the song-without-words style, a beloved invention of Fanny and her brother Felix Mendelssohn. An unnamed work in g minor (H403) and Allegro moderato assai in a minor (H405) are typical of the style—small and lyrical. The Allegro molto in e minor (H410) is a passionate and expansive treatment of the piano lied with intense chromatic coloring and excursions through a wide-ranging and unconventional sequence of keys.

Collection update, April 2024:

One new work from this era has been added: an Adagio song without words (H396) written in 1843.

 

With this collection we are also unveiling our YouTube channel where you can listen to all the HenselPushers transcriptions with dazzling visualizations.

Subscribe to be notified as we add videos for all previous collections in the coming weeks.

Listen to this playlist on the HenselPushers YouTube channel