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: Violin Concerto Op. 64, String Octet
Classical - Released by Challenge Classics on Jan 13, 2017
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Felix Mendelssohn : Helias (Elijah)
Paul McCreesh, Gabrieli Consort
Classical - Released by Signum Records on Aug 27, 2012
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn : Intégrale des œuvres pour piano
Classical - Released by Saphir Productions on Nov 2, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: The Six Organ Sonatas
Classical - Released by Claves Records on Dec 2, 2016
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Symphony no. 2 'Lobgesang'
Classical - Released by Challenge Classics on Jan 28, 2013
Gramophone Editor's Choice24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Complete Symphonies Vol. 2: Symphony Nos. 1 & 3
The Netherlands Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Challenge Classics on Jun 20, 2014
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Octet, Op. 20
Chamber Music - Released by Resonus Classics on Mar 28, 2011
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Mendelssohn (Red Classics)
Classical - Released by Cobra Entertainment LLC on Jun 23, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Felix Mendelssohn: The Complete Works for Cello & Piano
Classical - Released by JRI Recordings on Sep 1, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Symphony no. 4: The Italian
Classical - Released by Mendelssohn Sounds on Jul 24, 2020
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Mendelssohn: Three Piano Sonatas
Classical - Released by Tuxedo Music on Apr 3, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ignacy Jan Paderewski Concert
Classical - Released by Everest Records on Mar 16, 1958
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Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 2 and Solo Piano Works
Classical - Released by Tuxedo Music on Apr 30, 2013
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Felix Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto in A Minor
Classical - Released by Tuxedo Music on Mar 27, 2013
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Mendelssohn: Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49; Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66
Classical - Released by Reader's Digest Music on Mar 1, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words Vol.1, Variations sérieuses Op.54
Classical - Released by NOVA Record on Aug 12, 2020
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Voktett Hannover: Tidings of Joy (Weihnachtslieder / Christmas Carols)
Felix Mendelssohn, Michel Praetorius, Heinrich Schütz, Max Reger, Voktett Hannover
Classical - Released by Rondeau Production on Dec 9, 2022
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Motets & Piano Trio
Classical - Released by Evil Penguin Classic on Sep 8, 2017
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo -
Mendelssohn: Psaumes (Psalms) 115, 95, 42
Choeur Universitaire de Genève
Classical - Released by VDE-GALLO on Jun 3, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classical in Winter: Herbert von Karajan
Herbert von Karajan, Felix Mendelssohn
Classical - Released by UME - Global Clearing House on Dec 6, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo