Enjoying Das Jahr

As I mentioned in previous posts, I’ve been working on Fanny Mendelssohn’s Das Jahr, and having a wonderful time exploring the individual pieces that are part of this cycle.

Denkt nicht ihr seyd in deutschen Gränzen
Von Teufels-, Narren- und Todtentänzen;
Ein heiter Fest erwartet euch.

 ENGLISH
Think not that you are within German borders;
A bright festival of devils’, fools’, and deaths’ dances
Awaits you.

Fanny Mendelssohn and her family visited Rome to experience the Roman Carnival, the festival that precedes Lent. This piece was inspired by that experience. During this time the city is packed with people, eating, drinking, dancing, and having a great time.

There are several places where the music stops for rests, and I think this surprise conveys the sense of excitement and uncertainty of the people reveling.

From a performer's perspective, I use dynamics and rubato to express the movements and mood of the people, and because it is a fast piece with so many notes, I also create places where I pull back to prevent it from becoming too loud or harsh.

Thanks to Fanny's wonderful music, I feel like I'm experiencing the atmosphere of a carnival, and I would love to see it in person someday!

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