Louise Farrenc (May 31, 1804 - Sept. 15, 1875) was a French pianist, teacher, and composer. Born in Paris, she started the piano at an early age, and later on also showed a knack for composition. At the age of fifteen, her parents let her study composition with Anton Reicha at the Paris Conservatory. Later on she embarked upon a successful concert career, started a publishing house with her husband, and eventually became a Professor of Piano at the Paris Conservatory. 

Many of Farrenc's compositions were understandably for the piano, and she received a lot of praise for them, most notably from Robert Schumann.  Mélodie pour le Piano is a short, work for piano, clocking in at around only two and a half minutes. The main theme, a sweet, pleasant melody, immediately presents itself, with a small development section that turns minor briefly. The main theme then returns, but in a lower register, with some more intricate writing in the right hand, adding depth and charm to what is already a pleasing melody.

Here's a recording of this wonderful work for you to enjoy!

Brigitte Engerer