Felix Mendelssohn
Far from the troubled, coarse libertine that has become an archetype of the Romantic composer, Felix Mendelssohn was something of an anomaly among his contemporaries. His own situation -- largely one of domestic tranquility and unhindered career fulfillment -- stands in stark contrast to the personal Sturm und Drang familiar to his peers. Mendelssohn was the only musical prodigy of the 19th century whose stature could rival that of Mozart. Still, his parents resisted any entrepreneurial impulses and spared young Felix the strange, grueling lifestyle that was the lot of many child prodigies.
He and his sister Fanny were given piano lessons, and he also studied violin, and both joined the Berlin Singakademie. Carl Friedrich Zelter, director of the Singakademie, became Mendelssohn's first composition instructor. Even in his youth, Mendelssohn moved with natural grace among the circles of influence in society, politics, literature, and art. Although he did spend some time at the University of Berlin, most of his education was received through friendships and travel. Mendelssohn's advocacy was the single most important factor in the revival of Bach's vocal music in the 19th century, most famously realized in the 1829 performance of the St. Matthew Passion at the Berlin Singakadamie. He did some touring as a pianist with Ignaz Moscheles, then took the position of music director in Düsseldorf from 1833 to 1835, which involved conducting both the choral and orchestral societies, preparing music for church services and later, becoming intendant for the new theatre. Tension with the theater owner caused him to resign some of his duties, and he began looking for a new post. In 1835, Mendelssohn became municipal music director in Leipzig, where he would also conduct the Gewandhaus Orchestra. He would raise the level of the still-thriving ensemble to a new standard of excellence. In 1838, he married Cécile Jeanrenaud, enjoying an idyllic marriage and family life that were quite unlike the stormy romantic entanglements that profoundly affected such composers as Berlioz, Chopin, and Liszt. He was in demand as a conductor and spent some time as royal composer and music director in Berlin, but remained committed to musical life in Leipzig. He was even able to establish a new conservatory in the city, which is still a well-respected institution.
Mendelssohn was a true Renaissance man. A talented visual artist, he was a refined connoisseur of literature and philosophy. While his name rarely arises in discussions of the 19th century vanguard, the intrinsic importance of his music is undeniable. A distinct personality emerges at once in its exceptional formal sophistication, its singular melodic sense, and its colorful, masterful deployment of the instrumental forces at hand. A true apotheosis of life, Mendelssohn's music absolutely overflows with energy, ebullience, drama, and invention, as evidenced in his most enduring works: the incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream (1826-1842); the Hebrides Overture (1830); the Songs Without Words (1830-1845); the Symphonies No. 3 (1841-1842) and No. 4 (1833); and the Violin Concerto in E minor (1844). While the sunny disposition of so many of Mendelssohn's works has led some to view the composer as possessing great talent but little depth, his religious compositions -- particularly the great oratorios Paulus (1836) and Elijah (1846) -- reflect the complexity and deeply spiritual basis of his personality.
© Rovi Staff /TiVo
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Clásicos Inolvidables Vol. 2, Inglaterra y Escocia
Symfonische muziek - Released by ADAGIO on 14 jul. 2015
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Mendelssohn: The Best Classical Works
Klassiek - Released by ADAGIO on 11 jan. 2016
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Der Schwarzwald
Helmut Frei, Felix Mendelssohn
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by SWR Mediaservices GmbH on 17 jun. 2013
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Oh Täler weit, oh Höhen (Streifzüge durch die südwestdeutschen Mittelgebirge)
Helmut Frei, Felix Mendelssohn
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by SWR Mediaservices GmbH on 19 jun. 2013
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Mendelssohn - Bartholdy
South German Philharmonic, Philharmonia Slovanica, Helena Spitcova
Klassiek - Released by JamadaDigital on 14 dec. 2014
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Mendelssohn - Psalmen
Klassiek - Released by ClassicalPirosDigital on 11 jul. 2015
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Música del Mundo Vol.8 Romántico
Klassiek - Released by Musirama on 27 jul. 2015
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Famous Overtures - Concert Overtures
Hamburg Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester
Klassiek - Released by Piros - Send on 6 mei 2015
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The Art of Nikolai Golovanov: Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite
Klassiek - Released by Music Online on 7 dec. 2007
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Los Grandes de la Musica Clasica - Felix Mendelssohn Vol. 1
Symphonic Festival Orchestra, Württembergisches Kammerorchester
Klassiek - Released by ClassicalPirosDigital on 7 jun. 2015
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A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61
Klassiek - Released by Audiofonic Records on 18 sep. 2019
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Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61
Illona Steingruber, Dagmar Hermann
Klassiek - Released by Tuxedo Music on 30 apr. 2013
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Clásicos inolvidables, Vol. 3
Klassiek - Released by Iswjdigital on 5 jun. 2015
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Concerts and Symphonies (Classical Music Masters)
Klassiek - Released by Il Loggione Records on 2 mrt. 2018
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Las Bodas y Su Música
Klassiek - Released by Piros - Artyvoz on 6 nov. 2015
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Oistrakh Plays Mendelssohn and Dvorák Concertos
Klassiek - Released by Pipeline Music on 29 nov. 2006
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Classical Best Hits - Mendelssohn, Grieg, Brahms, Bizet, Strauss
Hamburg Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester
Klassiek - Released by Piros Comercial Digital on 24 apr. 2015
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Mendelssohn: Famous Classical Works, Vol. XIX
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Alfredo Campoli
Klassiek - Released by SB Clasic on 15 okt. 2002
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