She later resumed her studies under Reicha. Upon finishing her interrupted studies, he went back to concerts and grew considerably famous during the 1830s. In the early of the 1840s, her reputation remained consistent, until she was appointed as Professor of Piano in Paris Conservatory, which was a permanent position, in 1842. It was indeed one of the most famous in Europe, and she held the said position for 30 years. However, for about 10 years, she was receiving less compensation than the males. It was only when her nonet successfully premiered, which also featured Joseph Joachim, a famous violinist, when she demanded that she receive the same pay her male counterparts were receiving.

Aside from performing and teaching, Louis Farrenc also edited and produced a book on early performance styles in music. Her reputation stayed on with her name being mentioned in other books such as Antoine François Marmontel’s Pianistes célèbres even after her death. BY 1850, her nonet gained some fame, as well as her trios and two piano quintets. However, her chamber music apparently fell into oblivion after she died.

She first composed only for the piano from the 1820s to the 1830s. When some of her pieces received high praises from critics like Schumann, she gave some try in making larger compositions, this time, for both orchestra and chamber music. She wrote most of her chamber music during the 1840s. Eventually, her chamber music was regarded as the best ones among her works.

Name: Louise Farrenc

Date of Birth: 31 May 1804

Place of Birth: Paris, France

Louise Farrenc (31 May 1804–15 September 1875) was a virtuosa pianist, teacher and composer in France. Her full name was Jeanne-Louise Dumont and she was born in Paris, France. She was one of the children of the famous sculptor named Jacques-Edme Dumont. Auguste Dumont was her sister.

She started to study playing the piano at a young age. She studied with a former Muzio Clement student, a Senora Soria. Loius’ incredible genius with the piano brought her to training with masters such as Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Ignaz Moscheles. It was also clear that she could compose well, for which her parents sent her to Anton Reicha to study composition. During the time, Reicha was also teaching at the Conservatoire, which held a composition class only open for male students.

Lousie eventually got to know a flute student, Aristide Farrenc, who was 10 years ahead of her. And in 1821, they wedded.

Later on, Louise Farrenc took a break in her studies to perform in concerts all over France. Her husband performed together with her. When Aristide finally got tired of performing concerts, he began his publishing house, which was named Éditions Farrenc, in Paris. For around 40 years, it became one of the leading music publishers in France.