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Indian Summer

Donald Macleod uncovers the story of a forgotten luminary of 19th-century classical music. Today, Mayer makes a triumphant return to Berlin.

Now in her mid-sixties, Mayer makes a triumphant return to Berlin. Presented by Donald Macleod.

Composer of the Week explores the remarkable life and music of Emilie Mayer, who was known in her lifetime as the Female Beethoven. Born in Germany in 1812, Mayer is considered by some to be the most prolific female composer of the Romantic period. She was held in high regard by the musical establishment of her time and appointed co-director of the Opera Academy in Berlin. Royalty frequently attended Mayer’s concerts and awarded her gold medals for her music and other artistic endeavours. In 1883 when Mayer died, she was buried in a place of honour, near to Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn. Donald Macleod is joined by Katy Hamilton throughout the week, to explore Mayer's life and the environment in which she flourished.

In 1876, Emilie Mayer decided to return to Berlin, now capital to a unified German Empire. We’re now deep into the Romantic era, and Mayer’s music will have felt a little old-fashioned compared with the more progressive composers of the time. Nevertheless, she was still frequently performed. Mayer’s new Faust Overture became a hit, and she re-established herself as a significant figure in the city’s cultural circles.

Piano Concerto in B flat (Allegro)
Ewa Kupiec, piano
Neubrandenburg Philharmonie
Sebastian Tewinkel, conductor

Symphony No 6 in E (Adagio – Allegro con spirito)
Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra
Benjamin Reiners, conductor

Notturno, Op 48
Anne Katharina Schreiber, violin
Jutta Ernst, piano

Overture to Faust, Op 46
Göttingen Symphony Orchestra
Nicholas Milton, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock, for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Wales

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 23 Sep 2022 12:00

Music Played

  • Emilie Mayer

    Piano Concerto in B flat (Allegro)

    Performer: Ewa Kupiec. Orchestra: Neubrandenburger Philharmonie. Conductor: Sebastian Tweinkel.
    • Capriccio : C5339.
    • Capriccio.
    • 5.
  • Emilie Mayer

    Symphony No 6 in E (Adagio - Allegro con spirito)

    Orchestra: Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Benjamin Reiners.
  • Emilie Mayer

    Notturno, Op 48

    Performer: Anne Katharina Schreiber. Performer: Jutta Ernst.
    • CPO : 555 029-2.
    • CPO.
    • 5.
  • Emilie Mayer

    Overture to Faust, Op 46

    Orchestra: Gottingen Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Nicholas Milton.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 3 Dec 2021 12:00
  • Fri 23 Sep 2022 12:00

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