Louise Farrenc (1804-1875), also known as Jeanne-Louise Dumont Farrenc, was a highly acclaimed French composer, pianist, and music teacher. Throughout her career, she managed to rise to prominence during a time when the music profession was predominantly male-dominated. Not only did she gain recognition as a composer, but she also made a significant impact as an educator and champion for equal pay for women. Her body of work, although not well-known today, covers a range of genres, from chamber music and symphonies to pedagogical pieces.
Early life and education
Farrenc was born on May 31, 1804, in Paris, France. Her father, Jacques-Edme Dumont, was a renowned sculptor, which offered her an early exposure to the arts. Farrenc showed an inclination towards music from a very young age.
She began her music education at an early age studying piano under Cecile Soria, a former student of Muzio Clementi. When she was 15, she started studying at the Paris Conservatoire, a prestigious music institution. Despite the school’s restrictions on women studying composition, Farrenc’s talent was so evident that an exception was made for her. She studied piano under Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Ignaz Moscheles, both of whom were among the most highly regarded pianists of the time, and composition under Anton Reicha, the conservatory’s head of counterpoint and fugue.
Career and contributions
In 1821, when she was just 17, Farrenc married Aristide Farrenc. He was a flutist and music publisher, who later gave up his performing career to run the publishing house Enoch & Cie, which published much of Louise’s music.
For about a decade after her marriage, Farrenc paused her composition efforts to focus on establishing herself as one of France’s top concert pianists. She embarked on several successful tours across the country, gaining reputation and respect for her virtuosity.
However, around the 1830s, she returned to composition and produced a significant body of work that included chamber music, solo piano music, and three symphonies. She was one of the first women to write a symphony. Her music, especially her chamber works, became known for their richness of sound, careful structure, and skillful workmanship. They were regularly performed in Paris’s most prestigious concert venues.
In 1842, she was appointed to the permanent position of Professor of Piano at the Paris Conservatory, a position she held for over thirty years. Interestingly, despite her credentials, she was paid less than her male counterparts. This led Farrenc to fight for equal pay, and after the triumphant premier of her Nonet in E-flat major in 1850, in which the famous violinist Joseph Joachim participated, she finally succeeded in having her salary equalized with that of her male colleagues.
Apart from her compositions and teaching, Farrenc and her husband spent years researching and collecting historical music scores, dating back as far as the 15th century. This resulted in the publication of “Le Trésor des Pianistes,” a monumental collection of works from early music to contemporary, an invaluable resource for understanding the history of keyboard music.
Later life and legacy
Farrenc continued teaching at the Conservatory until 1873, influencing a new generation of musicians. She died on September 15, 1875.
Farrenc’s compositions, particularly her chamber music, are considered significant contributions to the 19th-century musical repertoire. However, her works fell into obscurity after her death, and it wasn’t until the late 20th century that her music started to be performed and recorded again. Today, she is recognized as a pioneer among women composers and a trailblazer in the fight for gender equality in the field of music. Her efforts paved the way for future generations of female musicians, composers, and educators.
Louise Farrenc (1804 – 1875)
Louise Farrenc (1804-1875), also known as Jeanne-Louise Dumont Farrenc, was a highly acclaimed French composer, pianist, and music teacher. Throughout her career, she managed to rise to prominence during a time when the music profession was predominantly male-dominated. Not only did she gain recognition as a composer, but she also made a significant impact as an educator and champion for equal pay for women. Her body of work, although not well-known today, covers a range of genres, from chamber music and symphonies to pedagogical pieces.
Early life and education
Farrenc was born on May 31, 1804, in Paris, France. Her father, Jacques-Edme Dumont, was a renowned sculptor, which offered her an early exposure to the arts. Farrenc showed an inclination towards music from a very young age.
She began her music education at an early age studying piano under Cecile Soria, a former student of Muzio Clementi. When she was 15, she started studying at the Paris Conservatoire, a prestigious music institution. Despite the school’s restrictions on women studying composition, Farrenc’s talent was so evident that an exception was made for her. She studied piano under Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Ignaz Moscheles, both of whom were among the most highly regarded pianists of the time, and composition under Anton Reicha, the conservatory’s head of counterpoint and fugue.
Career and contributions
In 1821, when she was just 17, Farrenc married Aristide Farrenc. He was a flutist and music publisher, who later gave up his performing career to run the publishing house Enoch & Cie, which published much of Louise’s music.
For about a decade after her marriage, Farrenc paused her composition efforts to focus on establishing herself as one of France’s top concert pianists. She embarked on several successful tours across the country, gaining reputation and respect for her virtuosity.
However, around the 1830s, she returned to composition and produced a significant body of work that included chamber music, solo piano music, and three symphonies. She was one of the first women to write a symphony. Her music, especially her chamber works, became known for their richness of sound, careful structure, and skillful workmanship. They were regularly performed in Paris’s most prestigious concert venues.
In 1842, she was appointed to the permanent position of Professor of Piano at the Paris Conservatory, a position she held for over thirty years. Interestingly, despite her credentials, she was paid less than her male counterparts. This led Farrenc to fight for equal pay, and after the triumphant premier of her Nonet in E-flat major in 1850, in which the famous violinist Joseph Joachim participated, she finally succeeded in having her salary equalized with that of her male colleagues.
Apart from her compositions and teaching, Farrenc and her husband spent years researching and collecting historical music scores, dating back as far as the 15th century. This resulted in the publication of “Le Trésor des Pianistes,” a monumental collection of works from early music to contemporary, an invaluable resource for understanding the history of keyboard music.
Later life and legacy
Farrenc continued teaching at the Conservatory until 1873, influencing a new generation of musicians. She died on September 15, 1875.
Farrenc’s compositions, particularly her chamber music, are considered significant contributions to the 19th-century musical repertoire. However, her works fell into obscurity after her death, and it wasn’t until the late 20th century that her music started to be performed and recorded again. Today, she is recognized as a pioneer among women composers and a trailblazer in the fight for gender equality in the field of music. Her efforts paved the way for future generations of female musicians, composers, and educators.
Discography
Arc
Intercontinental Ensemble