Two wonderful pedal harp transcriptions by the highly talented harpist and arranger, Elsa Garcia de Andrés.

 

Das Jahr (The Year), H385, is a cycle of piano pieces created by Fanny after her year-long visit to Italy 1839-40. It was first composed in 1841, but just a year later she produced another version, in which the Serenade for the month of June was drastically changed. This transcription is based on the second version, which is the most commonly played.

 

This year-long trip to Italy proved to be a great source of inspiration. Nevertheless, in 1838, before she had even set foot there, she had composed the Notturno in G minor in the style of a barcarolle, drawing on the traditional folk songs sung by Venetian gondoliers. Her brother, Felix Mendelssohn, had visited Venice previously and had shared with her his impressions of the journey; Fanny composed this piece inspired by his tales.