Emilie Mayer (1812-1883)

Donald Macleod uncovers the story of a forgotten luminary of 19th century music 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. Music Featured: Overture in C Piano Sonata in D minor (excerpt) Piano Quartet in E flat (Allegro) Symphony No 1 in C minor (Adagio – Allegro) Symphony No 2 in E minor (Un poco adagio – Allegro assai) String Quartet in G minor, Op 14 (Scherzo) Piano Concerto in B flat (excerpt) Symphony No 2 in E minor (excerpt) Tonwellen (Waltz) Symphony No 3 in C, “Military” (excerpt) String Quartet in G minor, Op 14 (Allegro appasionato) Symphony No 4 in B minor (excerpt) Symphony No 4 in B minor (Allegro appassionato) Piano Quartet in E flat major (Finale Allegro) Piano Trio in B minor, Op 16 (Scherzo) Symphony No 6 in E (excerpt) Piano Concerto in B flat (Allegro) Symphony No 6 in E (Adagio – Allegro con spirito) Notturno, Op 48 Overture to Faust, Op 46 Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Emilie Mayer (1812-1883) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00120z9 And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z