As a performer I've had the
chance to perform several of Mendelssohn's works, including the
Violin Concerto in E-minor, and his fourth and fifth
symphonies. I also play Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words
regularly on the piano, just for my own enjoyment. If I had to
choose, I would say the his third symphony is my favorite work of
Mendelssohn, although the Hebrides Overture and the Octet
in E-flat-Major also come close. Mendelssohn is a sometimes
overlooked composer, so I've made a list of what I consider the best
of Mendelssohn for you to explore.
A Short Biography
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was a
German composer, pianist, and conductor of the Romantic era.
Mendelssohn began his musical studies at a young age and was a child
prodigy whose musical talents rivaled those of Mozart. As a teenager
Mendelssohn wrote some of his first masterpieces, including his Octet
in E-flat-Major and the Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream.
As an adult Mendelssohn made a career as a composer, pianist, and
conductor, and as a conductor he helped to revive interest in the
music of J.S. Bach. Mendelssohn also made trips to Italy, England,
Wales, and Scotland, which influenced several of his compositions,
including the Hebrides Overture, and his third and fourth
symphonies.
What I Love About
Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn's music is elegant and
classically structured, yet influenced by romanticism. His music
shows great melodic invention, and mastery of harmony and
counterpoint, while still being musically evocative, such as
capturing the mood and atmosphere of scenes of Scotland, or capturing
the overall feeling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream in
a short overture.
The Best of Mendelssohn:
Overture to A
Midsummer Night's Dream
Hebrides Overture
(Fingal's Cave)
Symphony No. 3,
“Scottish”
Symphony No. 4.
“Italian”
Symphony No. 5,
“Reformation”
Violin Concerto in
E-minor
Songs Without Words
(Lieder ohne Worte) – A set of 48 pieces for piano
Octet in
E-flat-Major
Related Articles: The Best Symphonies, 11 Great Overtures
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