The Mozart of the 19th Century
Donald Macleod explores the long-lasting influence Mendelssohn's rigorous education had on his outlook and music-making.
Felix Mendelssohn had a remarkable, if brief career, cut short at the age of just 38 in 1847. He was born into an exceptional family. His grandfather Moses was a much respected Jewish philosopher, while his father Abraham, a wealthy Jewish banker and his mother Lea, a cultivated, musical woman had the standing and means to provide their four children with every opportunity Berlin society could offer. Only a handful of composers can match Mendelssohn's precocious talent. A child prodigy, famously likened by his friend Robert Schumann to Mozart, Felix's public career began at the age of 9. Between the ages of 11 and 15, he wrote 13 strings symphonies, 5 concertos, 4 operas, chamber music, piano and organ pieces, solo songs and choral pieces. Across the week Donald explores the musical treasures inspired by these formative years.
Mendelssohn's education was nothing if not thorough. From the age of nine, a long list of tutors arrived at the family home to teach a comprehensive list of subjects ranging from Latin to geography but perhaps the man who was to have the most profound influence over him in his early years was Carl Zelter, the director of Singakademie. Today Donald Macleod looks at Mendelssohn's early training.
"Herr, Der Du Bist Der Gott" (St. Paul, Part 1)
Choruses of the Chapelle Royale and Collegium Vocale
Champs-脡lys茅es Orchestra
Philippe Herreweghe (director)
String Symphony no.12 (1st movement: Fuga. Grave-Allegro)
London Festival Orchestra
Ross Pople (conductor)
Hexenlied, Op.8 no. 8
Margaret Price (soprano)
Graham Johnson (piano)
Rondo Brillant, Op.29
Stephen Hough (piano)
Meerestille und gl眉ckliche Fahrt, Op.27
London Symphony Orchestra
Claudio Abbado (conductor)
Gott, sei mir gn盲dig nach deiner G眉te
"Ich Danke Dir, Herr, Mein Gott" (St. Paul, Part 1)
Matthias Goerne (bass)
Choruses of the Chapelle Royale and Collegium Vocale
Champs-脡lys茅es Orchestra
Philippe Herreweghe (director).
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Music Played
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Felix Mendelssohn
St Paul - Oratorio Op.36 - Pt 1, no.1; Herr, der du bist der Gott [chorus]
Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe. Orchestra: Champs-Elysees Orchestra. Choir: Chapelle Royale Chorus. Choir: Collegium Vocale Gent.- Harmonia Mundi: HMC 901584.85.
- Harmonia Mundi.
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Felix Mendelssohn
St Paul - oratorio Op.36 - Herr Der Du Bist Der Gott
Choir: Chapelle Royale Chorus. Choir: Collegium Vocale Gent. Orchestra: Champs-Elysees Orchestra. Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe.- Harmonia Mundi: HMC 901584.85.
- Harmonia Mundi.
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Felix Mendelssohn
Symphony no. 12 in G minor for string orchestra - Fuga. Grave-Alle
Orchestra: London Festival Orchestra. Conductor: Ross Pople.- HYPERION : CDS-44081/3.
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Felix Mendelssohn
12 Songs Op.8 - Hexenlied
Performer: Graham Johnson. Singer: Margaret Price. -
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Felix Mendelssohn
Rondo brillant in E flat major Op.29 for piano and orchestra
Performer: Sir Stephen Hough. Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Lawrence Foster.- HYPERION : CDA 66969-.
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Felix Mendelssohn
Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage Op.27
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Claudio Abbado.- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : dg-423 104 2.
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Felix Mendelssohn
St Paul - oratorio Op.36 - Part 1 (extract)
Singer: Matthias Gorne. Choir: Chapelle Royale Chorus. Choir: Collegium Vocale Gent. Orchestra: Champs-Elysees Orchestra. Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe.- Harmonia Mundi: HMC 901584.85.
- Harmonia Mundi.
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Broadcasts
- Wed 12 Mar 2014 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Wed 12 Mar 2014 18:30大象传媒 Radio 3
- Wed 10 Jun 2015 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Wed 10 Jun 2015 18:30大象传媒 Radio 3
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