We love Louise Farrenc and all her wonderful music! In honor of her birthday today, May 31, we are featuring a Youtube video introduction about Farrenc, recorded by Dr. Liane Curtis in 2021 and lightly edited for this re-release. This TIMELINE is referred to in the Youtube video at 4:36
Louise Farrenc (born Jeanne-Louise Dumont) b. Paris, May 31, 1804; d Paris, Sept 15, 1875
| Year | Selected compositions | Events |
| 1819 | Begins study of composition with Anton Reicha | |
| 1821 | Marries Aristide Farrenc. | |
| 1825 | First publications for piano | |
| 1826 | Birth of Daughter, Victorine | |
| 1835 | Portrait (in oil) by Luigi Rubio | |
| 1834 | Overture No. 1 in E minor, op. 23 | First orchestral work |
| 1836 | Solo Piano — Air russe varié | Acclaimed by R. Schumann |
| 1839-40 | Piano Quintets, both works praised | |
| 1840 | Solo Piano — 30 Études in all the major and minor keys | Acclaimed by critic Maurice Bourges |
| 1841 | Symphony no. 1 in c minor | |
| 1842 | Appointed by Auber to Conservatoire as Prof. of Piano | |
| 1845 | Her Études adopted as required study for all piano classes at Conservatoire | |
| 1846 | Symph. No. 1 premiered in Brussels, at same concert, Victorine performs Beethoven’s “Emperor” concerto | |
| 1849 | Premiere of her Symphony Nr. 3 op. 36, performed by the Société des concerts du Conservatoire | |
| 1850 | Premiere of Nonet (for strings and winds) in E-flat major, Op. 38 | After the success of the Nonet, Louise petitions the Conservatory to pay her the same as her male colleagues |
| 1854-56 | Trio in E♭, Op. 44 (piano, clarinet and cello)
Trio in E minor, Op. 45 (piano, flute and cello) |
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| 1859 | Death of her daughter, Victorine. From this time, she focusses on scholarship, editing and teaching, rather than composing | |
| 1860 | With Aristide, begins publishing Trésor des pianists, 23-volume collection of harpsichord/ piano music of 16th to 19th centuries | |
| 1861, 1869 | Institut de France honors her with the Chartier Prize for her contributions to chamber music. | |
| 1872 | At end of year retires from Conservatory |
This video was made at the request of Chamber Orchestra of the Springs (Colorado) in 2021, when they performed Farrenc’s Symphony n. 3. Thank you to the 92nd Street Y, whose brilliant one-minute video “This is how Louise Farrenc won equal pay in the 1800s” is included. Special thanks also to Insula Orchestra and their music director Laurence Equilbey. We love their Farrenc performances (see below), and we’ve borrowed their short animation of the Farrenc portrait (made for their CD release video).
Last year we celebrated Farrenc’s birthday by announcing the release of our editions of her Symphonies n. 1 and 3. That essay is here and those editions may be purchased here. Most recently, our edition of Symphony n. 1 was led by Nisan Ak in Istanbul!
So celebrate Farrenc’s birthday by enjoying her wonderful symphonies — here are links to some performances by the Insula Orchestra!
Symphony n. 1 (complete)
Symphony n.3, Mvt . 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2EFQ5MRgJo
Symphony n.3, Mvt. 2
Symphony n. 3, Mvt. 3 Scherzo