Mayer’s ambition to make a career in music seems doomed until a terrible misfortune changes her destiny.

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.

Emilie Mayer was born into a family of pharmacists and doctors. Her father, Johann August, was wealthy and owned the only pharmacy in the town of Friedland. When Emilie was only five, he bought her a brand new grand piano and she began taking lessons. Soon she was composing her own works. Her brothers were sent to school, but there was only home tuition available for Emilie and her sister. Her prospects seemed limited. However, Mayer’s circumstances changed dramatically when her father tragically took his own life and left her a large inheritance. She no longer needed to marry or find a paid job and decided to move to Stettin where Mayer devoted herself entirely to music.

Overture in C
Mecklenburg Staatskapelle, Schwerin
Mark Rohde, conductor

Piano Sonata in D minor (excerpt)
Yang Tai, piano

Piano Quartet in E flat (Allegro)
Mariani Klavierquartet

Symphony No 1 in C minor (Adagio – Allegro)
NDR Radiophilharmonie
Leo McFall, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Show less