A new series of videos from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment uncovers the stories of remarkable women composers throughout history, and the challenges they faced.

Ep. 1. Who was Hildegard of Bingen?

In the first episode, they delve into the life of the medieval abbess, composer and polymath, Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179). With thanks to Dr Edward Wickham and the Girls Choir of St Catharine's College, Cambridge.

▶

Ep. 2. What's so good about Rebecca Clarke’s Viola Sonata?

In this episode, OAE's Principal Viola Max Mandel explores why the Viola Sonata by Rebecca Clarke (1886–1979) stands the test of time. Featuring the performance by Mandel, joined by Steven Devine playing on a Model A, Steinway & Sons grand piano, 1920, on loan from the family of the late Guy Whalley. Piano tuning by Joe Dodd. With thanks to the Royal Academy of Music Museum, London for the permission to film in their Piano Gallery.

▶

Ep. 3. Discovering Fanny Mendelssohn

You may be familiar with the name and music of the composer Felix Mendelssohn, but what about the life and work of his sister, Fanny? In this episode, the OAE talks to Shelia Hayman, a direct descendent of the Mendelssohns, and an expert on the life and music of Fanny Mendelssohn (1805–1847). Featuring excerpts from the film, Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn, by kind permission of Mercury Studios.

▶

Das Jahr (The Year) in concert

Sun 23 Mar | Queen Elizabeth Hall , Southbank Centre

Here’s a chance to discover the music and story of the incredibly talented Fanny Mendelssohn. The OAE brings together her only known orchestral work, the Overture in C, with the 'Romanze' from her String Quartet in E flat, and the glorious piano cycle, Das Jahr (The Year), performed by the acclaimed Olga Pashchenko on an 1840s fortepiano that is thought to have possibly belonged to Fanny’s composer brother, Felix.

Alongside music by Fanny Mendelssohn, the programme includes four exciting new commissions for an 1840s period orchestra inspired by Das Jahr that the OAE have commissioned, including pieces by the recently appointed Master of the King’s Music, Errollyn Wallen; Roxanna Panufnik whose Coronation Sanctus was performed at King Charles III’s coronation in 2023; and two stars of the younger generation of British composers, Electra Perivolaris and Freya Waley-Cohen.

You can get best available seats for this concert for just £23* when you make your booking online. Go to oae.co.uk or southbankcentre.co.uk and enter the promo code JAHR23 in the box near the top of the page before you select your seats. Booking fees apply online at southbankcentre.co.uk (£3.50). There are no booking fees for Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons or at oae.co.uk.

Das Jahr (The Year) Community Open Rehearsal

Sat 22 Mar | Acland Burghley School Assembly Hall, Tufnell Park

In this open rehearsal, you will have the opportunity to hear brand-new pieces of music that the OAE has commissioned. Open to everyone, OAE's Community Open Rehearsals take place at Acland Burghley School in Tufnell Park, where the OAE is based – the nearest tube station is Tufnell Park on the Northern Line (usually less than 10 minutes from Euston or King’s Cross). OAE wishes anyone to feel able and comfortable to attend these events. It’s free to attend – but please register, so the OAE team knows how much tea to make!

_{Left to right: Roxanna Panufnik, Olga Pashchenko, Electra Perivolaris, Freya Waley-Cohen, Errollyn Wallen, Fanny Mendelssohn.}

Das Jahr Playlist

To give you an idea of what’s in store at the concert on 23 March, OAE has put together this Das Jahr Playlist, featuring selections from Fanny Mendelssohn’s cycle of the same name for piano as well as the 'Romanze' from her String Quartet in E flat, and her only known surviving orchestral piece, the Overture in C (both of which will also be on the concert programme).