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Chapter 3 Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdi
(1809-1847, died at 38 years old)
Although various literature states that Mendelssohn was born in Hamburg, Germany, I do not know where his birthplace really was after I lived in Hamburg for a total of five years.
Similarly, Brahms, who was born in Hamburg, his birthplace and museum-like objects still exist in the city.
Mendelssohn, blessed with music, he was called a child prodigy, and grew up and educated in a wealthy Jewish family. Even though he was full of talent, I still wonder why his birthplace was not open to the public at least.
Mendelssohn’s grandfather, Moses, was a philosopher, and his father, Abraham, was a banker. The family moved to Berlin when Mendelssohn was two years old. Mendelssohn, who founded the Leipzig Conservatory, had given an enormous influence on the music world in the 19th century, and with his devotion to Bach music, almost forgotten at that time, also played a significant role in its revival. These are great achievements he left besides his more than 750 compositions. During the period while he was living abroad, he often went to England and Italy, and composed his impressions of these countries in his symphonies No. 3 "Scottish" and No. 4 "Italians".
Speaking of Mendelssohn's composition, the first thing that comes to mind is the sweet melody of "Violin Concerto" * ③, and the symphonies No. 3 "Scottish" * ① and No. 4 "Italian" * ②. I often listen to the orchestral music "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and the overture "The Hebrides" * ④. But surprisingly, Mendelssohn’s music is performed much less compared to other famous composers of the same period. I noticed that again, but I am not sure if my thoughts are just an impression.
Mendelssohn’s famous "Wedding March" is the eighth song of "A Midsummer Night's Dream", but Wagner's "Wedding March", which is also famous in Japan, is played in the third act of "Lohengrin". It is sometimes necessary to know that in Europe, "Lohengrin" is such a tragic story that people find Wagner's "Wedding March" unsuitable for weddings.
For your reference the following is a list of the composer's works that I listened this time.
※① Symphony No. 3 in A minor (Op. 56) "Scottish": Mendelssohn started composing this piece when he went to England for a concert in 1829, and completed 13 years later in 1842, and all four movements were performed seamlessly.
※② Symphony No. 4 in A major (Op. 90) "Italian": This was composed while Mendelssohn was traveling in Italy in 1831. This familiar Roman dance music in the final movement (Saltarello) provides rich melody and light rhythm and gives strong impression of Italy.
※③ Violin Concerto in E minor (Op. 64): This is a masterpiece representing Mendelssohn that begins with a melancholic and sweet solo tune. It took six years from conception to completion and this concerto was dedicated to F. David, the concertmaster of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig.
※④ Overture "The Hebrides" (Op. 26): This is composed during a performance trip to London on a Scottish island. The music is like a reminiscent of a leading landscape painter who has drawn the impression of visiting the Great Cave of Bizarre.
November 7, 2021
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