Born in 1812 into the 19th century’s flourishing Romantic era, the abundantly talented and hugely prolific German composer Emilie Mayer found herself in the then-rare position to devote her life almost entirely to music. This specially curated playlist goes a long way to explain why Mayer was eventually dubbed “the female Beethoven”—her orchestral works, including eight symphonies and a number of overtures, are bursting with character and invention, while her chamber works, including the Piano Trio in B Minor and Piano Quartet in G Major display in equal measure Mendelssohnian playfulness and profound beauty. Her music for solo piano meanwhile, including the Piano Sonata in D Minor, shows a player of considerable virtuosity and poetic instincts.