Farrenc, Jeanne Louise

1804-1875

Her maiden name was Dumont and she became the wife of Jacques H. A. Farrenc. She was born in Paris and was a pupil of Reicha, Moscheles and Hummel, and began composing at an early age both for the orchestra and violin. She was married in 1821 and made several tours in France with her husband. In 1842 she was appointed professor of the piano at the Conservatory of Paris, and held the position until 1873, when she retired on a pension. In 1869 she received the prize of the Academy of Fine Arts for chamber-music. Several of her compositions were performed at the Conservatory concerts, and she had many meritorious compositions to her credit. She was also an excellent pianist. Her compositions include two symphonies for orchestra; three overtures for orchestra; nonet; sextet; quintet; quartets and trios; sonatas for piano and violin and a number of piano pieces. Most of her works have been published and are often played in public. She received the Chartier prize three times. Mme. Farrenc will be chiefly remembered for her Tresor des Pianistes, an anthology of music, containing the masterpieces of all the classical writers for the harpsichord and piano from the Sixteenth Century down to Weber and Chopin, together with more modern works.