About the event
Brother and sister Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn were intimate companions: they shared and commented on each other's compositions, and travelled together.
Their travels produced some of their best-loved works: Felix’s The Hebrides Overture and The Scottish Symphony were inspired by his 1829 visit to Scotland, whilst Fanny's innovative piano cycle Das Jahr was a musical response to the tour of Italy she made in 1839–40.
Pianist Diana Ambache explores how the Mendelssohns were galvanised by their travels, and the music, art and letters that resulted. These two were serious tourists who brought back from their journeys not only visual reminiscences but inspiration for some of the Romantic movement’s most acclaimed compositions.
A display of the Bodleian’s Mendelssohn Green Books, which contain much of the Mendelssohn correspondence, will be on show alongside this lecture, and the author will be signing copies of her book after the event.
Speaker
Diana Ambache is a pianist, author and pioneering advocate for women in music: researching, performing, recording and publicising music by women. In 2013 she founded the Ambache Charitable Trust, which is devoted to raising the profile of women composers.
Booking information
This event is available to attend in person at the Weston Library or online via Zoom. The event is free and open to all but booking is required. When you have booked your place, the ticketing system will send you an automated confirmation.
Details will be confirmed to registrants ahead of the event. If you have booked to attend online, you will receive a link to the Zoom webinar in the week before the event.
Friends of the Bodleian
This talk is supported by the Friends of the Bodleian. To enjoy closer access to the Bodleian, including exclusive events and priority access to online content, join the Friends today.
For more information email fob@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Location
Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre, Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG
Wheelchair access
The Weston Library is wheelchair accessible.
