About the Composer:
Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) was a French composer, virtuoso pianist and educator who overcame significant gender barriers in the male-dominated music scene. She was appointed the first female professor of piano at the Paris Conservatoire in 1842. Despite critical acclaim for her compositions, her music was overshadowed by her male contemporaries, though her Nonet (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, French Horn and Bassoon) achieved a lot of success during her lifetime. Farrenc was a passionate advocate for gender equality in music.
Artistic Director's Notes:
Although I am supposed to be an "expert" in French music of the late 19th and early 20th Century, I must admit that I was only vaguely aware of Louise Farrenc, and that was because of her being a professor of piano. I was absolutely delighted to come across a YouTube clip of this symphony being performed and immediately thought of this as being an excellent piece for this concert. I was also astounded to find out that the clip I was watching was the premiere of the piece in Canada. In 2016!
Almost every musician I have spoken to during the rehearsal period has said that this is their favourite of all the works tonight. Even the 'cellos - whose part is, I think, the most difficult of any piece that they have played in the last few years! We are only performing the first movement (of 4) tonight, but I hope that I can program the whole symphony sometime in the near future.
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