Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809–1847) was a German composer, pianist, organist, conductor and public figure, active in the sphere of music. The formation of his aesthetical views was considerably influenced by communication with prominent scientifically and artistically inclined intellectuals of his time (such as Wilhelm von Humboldt, Heinrich Heine, Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann, Carl Maria von Weber and Niccolò Paganini), by his lengthy contacts with Goethe, as well as the course of lectures on aesthetics read by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel which Mendelssohn attended at the University of Berlin.
The composer’s creation of the score of the Overture to William Shakespeare’s comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the age of 17 is a testimony to his early artistic maturity. A considerable event which happened at that period of time was the performance of J.S. Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” under Mendelssohn’s direction, after many years of neglect of that composition. The musician was simultaneously acquiring fame as a composer, pianist and violinist.
In 1829–1832 Mendelssohn was travelling throughout Europe, and the impressions of voyages became reflected in his “Italian” and “Scottish” Symphonies, as well as other compositions of his. In 1833 he directed musical festivals in the Lower Rhine, in 1833–1835 he was the musical director of the orchestra in Dusseldorf, and from 1835 he became the director of the Gewandhaus orchestra in Leipzig, which brought him world renown. In 1843 the Leipzig Conservatory was founded upon the composer’s initiative.
Mendelssohn was one of the most important representatives of German Romanticism in music, albeit, closely connected with Classical traditions, nonetheless, searching for new types of musical expression and means for them. His music is distinguished for its aspiration towards clarity and balance; it is noted for its elegiac tone, reliance on vernacular forms of music-making and intonations of German folk song. The sphere of imagery which is especially intrinsic to the composer lies in a refined manner of a fantastic scherzo.
The performing style of Mendelssohn the pianist, who objected to a superficial kind of virtuosity, had also presented an influence to the composer’s style as demonstrated in his instrumental music. Being one of the creators of the Romantic symphonic musical style, the composer enriched it with the genre of the programmatic concert overture.
His compositions include operas; oratorios, including “St. Paul,” “Elias” and “Christus;” church choral music and cantatas; music for orchestra, including five symphonies, 7 concert overtures – including “The Hebrides or Fingal’s Cave,” 13 symphonies for string orchestra; concertos for solo instruments with orchestra, including concertos for piano and for violin; works for chamber ensemble; compositions for piano, including the “Lieder ohne Worte;” works for organ; choral works; songs; incidental music for theatrical performances, including music for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
