Mendelssohn, Fanny: Notturno in G minor

Sono Luminus is proud to present this two-disc set from pianist Michael Landrum, 'Nocturnes', bringing together a plethora of composers’ works that enliven the nocturne genre of music.

A native of Augusta, Georgia, Michael Landrum received the Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College and the Master of Fine Arts degree from California Institute of the Arts. After earning his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Temple University, he became Professor of Music and Film Studies at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York.

In 1976, Mr Landrum won first prize in the J S Bach International Competition for Pianists in Washington DC. During his doctoral studies in Philadelphia, Michael Landrum was a student of Harvey Wedeen. He also studied for a number of years with Edna Golandsky in New York City and was a frequent participant in master classes with Dorothy Taubman. In June of 2005, he presented a Nocturne Lecture/Recital at Columbia Artists Management Hall in New York.

The nocturne genre has long been a topic of interest to Mr Landrum. He has had the opportunity to share his insights into this ever-evolving repertoire on many occasions throughout the country.

It is only relatively recently that Fanny Mendelssohn has stepped out of the shadow of her more famous sibling Felix.

Nearly all of her five hundred or so compositions remained unpublished during her lifetime, despite their undeniable beauty, lyricism and passion.

This volume of piano music spans almost her entire adult life, from youthful experiments to music written less than a year before her untimely death, giving the listener a whirlwind tour of a much underrated composer.