Agnes Zimmermann

German Pianist and Composer
Born: 1847 (Cologne, Germany)
Died: 1925 (London, England)

BIOGRAPHY
Born in Cologne, Germany in the mid-19th century, Agnes Zimmermann moved to London as a young child. Her family was very well-connected in the musical community. She was enrolled in the Royal Academy of Music at age nine and began her piano studies with Cipriani Potter and composition studies with Charles Steggal. Zimmermann won the Kings Scholarship in 1860 and 1862.¹ When she was only 16, Zimmermann made her debut as a pianist at the Crystal Palace, playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major.² That same year, her first compositions were published.³ 

Zimmermann became one of the most celebrated female pianists in England and was highly regarded by contemporaries and colleagues. In 1865, she organized a series of chamber concerts in London, where famous musicians showcased their works.⁴ Zimmermann performed alongside Clara Schumann, Joseph Joachim, and Alfredo Piatti. Zimmermann also edited and arranged music, taught piano, and composed. Her three violin sonatas are considered some of her greatest works.⁵

Though she was a romantic era composer, Zimmermann used forms associated with the classical era. In addition to composing, Zimmermann edited several pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann⁶ as well as arranged works by Bach, Haydn, and Handel for piano. Her estate, including all sheet music, manuscripts, poems, etc., resides in the Royal Academy of Music.⁷ Zimmermann stopped performing and composing in the 1890s, due to poor health.⁸

Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 16 (1868)

SONATA INFORMATION
This piece was dedicated to Joseph Joachim. Zimmermann and Joachim premiered the sonata in 1872.⁹
I. Allegro (~9 min)
II. Scherzo (~5 min)
III. Andante tranquillo (~6 min)
IV. Finale - Allegro vivace (~8 min)

SCORES
1. Manuscript Location: Unknown
2. First edition: Jisc (University of Oxford)

RECORDINGS
Mathilde Milwidsky and Sam Haywood: Spotify, Naxos, Toccata Classics, YouTube

Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 21 (1875)

SONATA INFORMATION
Zimmermann’s second and third violin sonatas were premiered by Zimmermann and Wilma Noarmann-Neruda (Lady Halle), one of the most recognized violinists of the time.

I. Allegro assai (~8 min)
II. Scherzo (~5 min)
III. Andante cantabile (~8 min)
IV. Finale, Allegro grazioso (~7 min)

SCORES
1. Manuscript Location: Unknown
2. First Edition: Jisc (University of Oxford), British Library, Noten Roehr, SheetMusicPlus

RECORDINGS
Mathilde Milwidsky and Sam Haywood: Spotify, Naxos, Toccata Classics, YouTube

Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 3 in G Minor, Opus 23 (1879)

SONATA INFORMATION
I. Allegro moderato (~9 min)
II. Andante affetuoso (~6 min)
III. Scherzo - Allegretto grazioso (~5 min)
IV. Finale - Allegro appassionato (~8 min)

“Dramatic and lyrical by turn, and always beautifully crafted, they lie somewhere between Mendelssohn and Brahms, but demonstrate an impressively personal musical voice.” -Toccata Classics

SCORES
1. Manuscript Location: Unknown
2. First Edition (1879): Jisc (Royal Academy of Music Library), British Library

RECORDINGS
Mathilde Milwidsky and Sam Haywood: Spotify, Naxos, Toccata Classics, YouTube

Sources

  1. Fuller, Sophie. "Zimmermann, Agnes." Grove Music Online. 2001. https://www-oxfordmusiconline-com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000030975.

  2. Ehrlich, A. Celebrated Pianists of the Past and Present Time: A Collection of 116 Biographies with 114 Portraits, 366. London: H. Grevel, 1895.

  3. Fuller, Sophie. Pandora Guide to Women Composers: Britain and the United States 1629-Present. S.l.: Pandora, 1995.

  4. Ibid.

  5. Milwidsky, Mathilde, and Sam Haywood. “Agnes Zimmermann: The Violin Sonatas.” Toccata Classics, 2020. https://toccataclassics.com/product/agnes-zimmermann-the-violin-sonatas/.

  6. Fuller, “Zimmermann, Agnes.”

  7. Schweitzer, Claudia. “Europäische Instrumentalistinnendes 18. UND 19. Jahrhunderts.” Zimmermann, Agnes - Sophie Drinker Institut, 2015. https://www.sophie-drinker-institut.de/zimmermann-agnes.

  8. Fuller, Pandora Guide to Women Composers: Britain and the United States 1629-Present.

  9. Fuller, “Zimmermann, Agnes.”