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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Mendelssohn: Heimkehr aus der Fremde Overture, Symphony No. 4 "Italian", A Midsummer NIght's Dream
South German Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Blaricum CD Company (B.C.D.) B.V. on Apr. 8, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Chamber Music
Lev Oborin, David Oïstrakh, Sviatoslav Knushevitsky
Classical - Released by Music Online on Oct. 5, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, & 3 "The Scottish", Fingal's Cave Overture
Dennis Russell Davies, Orchester Der Beethovenhalle Bonn
Classical - Released by Musical Heritage Society on Jun. 1, 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E Minor, Op. 64 (Digitally Remastered)
USSR State Symphony Orchestra, Valery Klimov
Classical - Released by EMG Classical on Jul. 15, 2014
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Mendelssohn/ String Symphonies Nos. 9 & 11
Classical - Released by Claves Records on Jan. 1, 1990
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A Midsummer Night's Dream - Rosamude, Fürstin von Zypern
Süddeutsche Philharmonie, Nürnberger Symphonie Orchester, Philharmonia Slovanica
Classical - Released by JamadaDigital on Dec. 13, 2014
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Symphony no. 4 in A major 'Italian', Op. 90
Classical - Released by Audiofonic Records on Sep. 18, 2019
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Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: The Six Sonatas for Organ, Op. 65
Classical - Released by Soliton on Jan. 1, 2010
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Mendelssohn: All Time Greatest Moments
Classical - Released by Big Eye on Jan. 1, 2008
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Salut d'amour
Ala Voronkova, Guerassim Voronkov
Chamber Music - Released by La ma de guido on May 29, 2014
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Mendelssohn - Schubert - Hindemith: The Masterpieces of German and Austrian Chamber Music transcribed for Flute (Flute & Piano)
Evgeniya Kossmann, Hans Jörg Fink
Chamber Music - Released by VDE-GALLO on Sep. 18, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Felix Mendelssohn, Edvard Grieg, Gabriel Fauré, symphonies
Felix Mendelssohn, Edvard Grieg, Gabriel Fauré
Classical - Released by Ermitage Rc on Apr. 27, 2020
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Vintage World Nº 48 - EPs Collectors "Pearls Of Hawaii"
World - Released by Vintage Music on Aug. 9, 1955
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Mendelssohn: Song Without Words in a Major, Op. 62, No. 6 "Spring Melody" (Digitally Remastered)
Latvian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra
Classical - Released by EMG Classical on Jul. 15, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Song Without Words in a Major, Op. 62, No. 6 "Spring Melody"(Digitally Remastered)
Latvian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Riga Radio Choir
Classical - Released by EMG Classical on Jul. 15, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Felix Mendelssohn: The Hebrides Overture / Violin Concerto in E Minor / Symphoony No. 4 in A Major, "Italian"
Classical - Released by Claves Records on Jan. 1, 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Leider ohne Worte (Songs Without Words), Books 5-8: Op. 62, 67, 85, 102
Classical - Released by Reader's Digest Music on Jul. 21, 2010
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Marcha Nupcial
Classical - Released by Piros Comercial Digital on Mar. 3, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Symphony #4 - Midsummer Night's Dream
Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Janos Kovacs
Classical - Released by Cobra Entertainment LLC on Dec. 1, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mendellsohn: Complete Works for Cello and Piano
Chamber Music - Released by Blue Griffin Recording, Inc. on Sep. 30, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Concierto Para Violin En MI Menor, Romanza Sin Palabras Y El Sueño De Una Noche De Verano
Symphonic Music - Released by Music Hit Factory on Dec. 1, 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo