The female Beethoven. That’s what they called this next composer. In her own day!
Emilie Mayer was born in Friedland Germany in 1812, into one of the most tragic family stories in music history. Her mother died when she was three; later, her father committed suicide, 26 years to the day. And yet, she had had a good musical foundation, learning with the local church organist and composing little pieces from the age of five. And despite being the only girl among brothers, expected to be the wife and mother of the household, it was an exceptionally enlightened household. Nobody ever pressured her to give up her musical studies, or to marry; and when her father died, what came with that was a vast inheritance that gave her the freedom to spend the rest of her life doing whatever she wanted. And she wanted to compose.
In 1841, at the age of 30, she moved to the regional capital to study and almost immediately came out with two symphonies which were an instant success and established her name. So then it was to Berlin. Further study, with one of Mendelssohn’s friends, and she began publishing her works. More symphonies, an eventual total of eight. And overtures, choral settings, piano music, string quartets, songs. Male or female, she was one of the most prolific composers of her age.
And she thrived in Berlin, managing her own career, and carefully cultivating the support of the great soloists and conductors. Not without struggles, of course, and without her wealth she would never have made it. But she persevered. And then, in 1850, became the first woman in history to have an entire concert dedicated to her compositions. The Queen of Prussia was there. Commissions started to pour in from all the great capitals of Europe and the gold medal of art followed. She is the first woman to be awarded it in history.
And then what happened?
After her death in 1883: nothing. Until the year 2000, when one of her string quartets turns up on disc. It’s up to us, since she had no children, to ensure that her legacy stays alive
Emilie Mayer (1812 – 1883)
MUSIC: String Quartet in E minor (iv. Allegro appassionato)
Constanze Quartet
Presented by Anna Clyne
Written and produced by Charlotte Wilson for WMHT
