Songs - 1

Released in 2009 by the Naxos label, this recording is part of a dedicated effort to bring the prolific but long-overlooked compositional output of Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel to a modern audience. Hensel, the sister of Felix Mendelssohn, composed hundreds of lieder and piano works that remained largely unpublished or relegated to private salon settings during her lifetime due to 19th-century societal restrictions on women composers. This project sought to document the breadth of her lyrical style, which bridge the gap between early Romanticism and the expressive, intimate song forms that would define the era.

The album features soprano Dorothea Craxton and pianist Babette Dorn, who focused on delivering a historically informed interpretation that highlights Hensel's sophisticated melodic invention and harmonic depth. The production aimed to situate these works within the serious canon of art song, moving away from viewing Hensel merely as a biographical footnote. Critical reception praised the collaboration for its nuanced execution and for providing a clear, high-fidelity entry point for listeners to engage with Hensel's distinct, often introspective, musical voice.