Felix Mendelssohn

[Robert Newman]

A short thread on Mendelssohn -

1/5

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-47)
Overture in C Minor for Play of Victor Hugo
‘Ruy Blas’, Op. 95 (1839, Leipzig)

http://www.**************/?zyzytigmqnb

[Robert Newman]

2/5

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Octet in E Flat Major Op. 20 (1825)
3rd Movement - Scherzo
Allegro Leggieris
Guarneri String Quartet and Soloists

The Scherzo from Mendelssohn’s magnificent Octet, written when just 16 years old.

http://www.**************/?gwomv3gy1ri

[dll927]

Somehow, string quartets are one musical form I've never much been able to come to terms with. It has been said that composers use them to try out their various ideas on how to put things down on paper. And they often seem to meander all over the place.

True, virtually all of my musical training has been on keyboard instruments, and I admire anyone who can learn to produce music out of four strings. So I'm not knocking strings, but rather the quartet format. Yes, I know, they are a favorite chamber format.

As for getting music out of four strings, it's basically the old principle that always applies in music -- the longer the space vibrating to produce the tone, the lower the tone. Thus, 32-foot to "a fraction of an inch" on pipe organs. Maybe the trombone is the most obvious example, since you can see what makes tones lower or higher.

[Robert Newman]

Yes, I see your point. This great music can easily be arranged on a larger scale for, say, chamber orchestra. At this time in his life Mendelssohn was of course as precocious for his age as almost any composer who lived.

Regards

[Robert Newman]

3/5

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Overture, 'Hebrides' ('Fingal's Cave')
Op. 26
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor - Herbert von Karajan

http://www.**************/?ntjjneztmdz


This great piece was inspired by a short visit Mendelssohn made to 'Fingal's Cave' on the island of Staffa, Hebrides, Western Scotland, in 1829.

[Tûrwethiel]

Thanks for this thread, Robert. Did you know it's his 200th birthday this year? Here's an interesting article I found recently - http://www.scena.org/columns/lebrech...ndelssohn.html

dll927 - string quartets are great fun to play. There's something about the balance of instruments that just feels right.

Cheers

Vicki

[Robert Newman]

Yes Vicki. I love chamber music myself. And Mendlessohn wrote some wonderful works.

Regards

Robert

[Robert Newman]

4/5

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Nocturne (Orchestra/French Horn Solo)
From Music to - ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, Op.21 (1825)
London Symphony Orchestra

http://www.**************/?mudzbgzc1mj

[Robert Newman]

And, to end,

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Violin Concerto in E Minor
3rd Movement
Op. 64/3

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ON27nnbBFQc


///

[Art Rock]

In the end, this is still my favourite violin concerto.

[Robert Newman]

Oh, yes, this is a glorious piece. I agree that it's one of the finest concertos ever written.

Regards