Join us for another fascinating program that reveals the connections between two musically important families in Germany in the early Romantic period–the Mendelssohns and the Schumanns.  While Felix and Robert are more famous as composers, Fanny (Felix’s sister) and Clara (Robert’s wife) were also both incredible composers who absolutely deserve to have their music included in the regular repertoire.  Clara was also one of the greatest pianists of her generation and often played with the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Felix Mendelssohn.  Felix in turn helped support a struggling Robert Schumann as he attempted to write his symphonies that went largely unheard in his lifetime.  Fanny, who, like Clara, began composing at the age of 15, held weekly chamber music Salons in her home in Berlin and continued to compose incredible works despite not getting any support from Felix or her father.  We know from Robert’s diary that the women had met briefly in Leipzig in 1843, but had only started to really get to know each other in March, 1847 when Clara visited Berlin and attended one of Fanny’s Sunday Salons.  Fanny wrote in her diary:  “I see the Schumann lady very often, she comes to see me almost daily and I have become quite fond of her.”  Sadly, Fanny would die of a stroke two months later and this nascent friendship was unable to bloom.  Together, they might have given the other more encouragement and support in their composing and attempts at publishing.