Musical Ornaments (1819–1821)

Abstract

In 1819, though Fanny Hensel was certainly the more advanced pianist of the two, around this time her parents made the decision to promote Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's musical training. Thus, on Lea Mendelssohn Bartholdy's initiative, in May, Felix began violin lessons as a surprise for Abraham Mendelssohn Bartholdy, then in Paris, and in August, Aunt Henriette von Pereira Arnstein sent word from there of some special presents he was bringing home for the children—for Fanny a necklace of Scottish jewels, but for Felix writing implements with which he might compose his first opera. There is no mention of similar encouragements for Fanny. Instead, in 1819 one begins to see the parents’ expectations for the two divide: if Felix's musical world might encompass the very public realm of the opera house, Fanny's domain would remain relatively private, centered on domestic, intimate forms of music making—piano pieces and songs.