Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Siblings and Songs

Donald Macleod explores the impact Mendelsohn's closeness to his family had on his compositions.

In the 1820s, the Mendelssohn household was a hive of conversational, intellectual and creative activity. Felix and his siblings, Fanny, Rebecka and Paul, shared a happy, magical childhood. Donald Macleod looks at the impact this closeness had on Felix Mendelssohn's compositions.

Part of Radio 3's Composers of the Year 2009 season.

Overture (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century
Frans Bruggen (director)
Glossa GCD921101
CD1 t1

Fanny Mendelssohn: When I look into your eyes
Sophie Daneman (soprano)
Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)
Eugene Asti (piano)
Hyperion CDA67388
CD1 t5

Neue Liebe/New Love
Barbara Bonney (soprano)
Geoffrey Parsons (piano)
Teldec 2292449462
CD1 t18

Songs without Words (excerpts)
Daniel Barenboim (piano)
Deutsche Grammophon 2531260
CD1 t 3 & 9: CD2 T6 and 10

Cello Sonata No 2
Steven Isserlis (cello)
Melvyn Tan (fortepiano)
RCA 09026625532
CD1 t15-18.

1 hour

Broadcasts

  • Tue 27 Jan 2009 12:00
  • Tue 27 Jan 2009 22:00

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.