Music #358 - Mendelssohn

Felix Mendelssohn  

[ˈfeːlɪks ˈmɛndl̩szoːn]   (1809 – 1847)

Mendelssohn's style does not fit easily with other Romantic music, and could be called neo-Classical. 

     During the height of Romanticism in the 19th century, most musicians focused their compositions on themes imbued with Romanticism, such as national and personal grievances, love, and death.

     However, Mendelssohn, with his pursuit of 'purity,' avoided and shed the obsession with so-called love and hate, and did not indulge in his personal emotional world. Instead, with a pure heart, he continued the spirit of Classicism, creating 'pure' music within the torrent of Romanticism.

     He was a rational and calm Classicist living in the surging tide of Romanticism.

     Following the death of his sister Fanny, also a gifted pianist and composer, Mendelssohn suffered a series of strokes, and died at the age of 38.

    

He had quite a long list of compositions.

A Midsummer Night's Dream overture 

Wedding March

 

Mendelssohn's Wedding March was first officially used at
the wedding of Victoria, Princess Royal of Great Britain in 1858.
(She was the future Queen Victoria.)

(Bonus: The 16 most popular classical music selections used in wedding ceremonies.)

Fingal's Cave   

- Overture

Symphonies

(L) Symphony No. 3 - aka the 'Scottish'

 

(R) Symphony No. 4 - aka the 'Italian' 

- IV. Saltarello: Presto

Symphony No. 5 - aka the 'Reformation' - I.

Violin Concerto 

(in E minor, Opus 64)

(L) all 3 movements        (R) first movement

 

(L) Rearranged for flute

 

Piano Concerto No. 1 

I. Molto allegro con fuoco  [in g]

II. Andante  [in E]

III. Presto — Molto allegro e vivace  [in G]

Concerto for Piano, Violin & Strings

- aka Double Concerto [in d]

Rondo capriccioso

- solo piano

I. Andante [in E]: a slow introduction

II. Presto leggiero [in e]: a bravura finale

Songs Without Words for piano 

- a series of short lyrical piano pieces:
* Book 1 - No. 6 - Venetian Boat Song No.1
* Book 2 - No. 6 - Venetian Boat Song No.2

* Book 5 - No. 1 - May Breezes
* Book 5 - No. 3 - 'Funeral March'

(... so called, without Mendelssohn's approval):

 

(R) The Royal Marines brass band playing

Mendelssohn's (and then Chopin’s) Funeral March

during Margaret Thatcher's state funeral procession  

* Book 5 - No. 5 - Venetian Boat Song No.3

* Book 5 - No. 6 - Spring Song **

* Book 6 - No. 4 - Spinner's Song

Die erste Walpurgisnacht 

/ The First Walpurgis Night 

- chorale cantata   

On Wings of Song 

/ Auf Flügeln des Gesanges

- a song for voice and piano

Festgesang (festive song)

- aka Gutenberg Cantata 

- William Hayman Cummings fitted Charles Wesley's hymn text 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' to this tune, to become a popular Christmas carol.  

 

St. Paul 

- oratorio