The Cambridge Companion to Mendelssohn

This book surveys the life, work, and posthumous reception of nineteenth-century German-Jewish composer Felix Mendelssohn.

Peter Mercer-Taylor (Edited by)

9780521533423, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 21 October 2004

332 pages, 1 b/w illus. 41 music examples
24.4 x 17.3 x 1.7 cm, 0.54 kg

'This is the book that I would recommend to anyone who is keen to look more closely at any of the musical or contextual issues that are sure to be raised by the forthcoming festival.' Classical Music

The Companion to Mendelssohn, is written by leading scholars in the field. In fourteen chapters they explore the life, work, and reception of a composer-performer once thought uniquely untroubled in life and art alike, but who is now broadly understood as one of the nineteenth century's most deeply problematic musical figures. The first section of the volume considers issues of biography, with chapters dedicated to Mendelssohn's role in the emergence of Europe's modern musical institutions, to the persistent tensions of his German-Jewish identity, and to his close but enigmatic relationship with his gifted older sister, Fanny. The following nine essays survey Mendelssohn's expansive and multi-faceted musical output, marked as it was by successes in almost every contemporary musical genre outside of opera. The volume's two closing essays confront, in turn, the turbulent course of Mendelssohn's posthumous reception and some of the challenges his music continues to pose for modern performers.

Introduction: Mendelssohn as border-dweller Peter Mercer-Taylor
Part I. Issues in Biography: 1. Mendelssohn and the institution(s) of German art music Peter Mercer-Taylor
2. Mendelssohn and Judaism Michael P. Steinberg
3. Felix and Fanny: gender, biography, and history Marian Wilson-Kimber
Part II. Situating the Compositions: 4. Mendelssohn and the rise of musical historicism James Garratt
5. Mendelssohn as progressive Greg Vitercik
Part III. Profiles of the Music: 6. Symphony and Overture Douglass Seaton
7. The works for solo instrument(s) and orchestra Steve Lindeman
8. Mendelssohn's chamber music Thomas Schmidt-Beste
9. The music for keyboard Glenn Stanley
10. On Mendelssohn's sacred music, real and imaginary R. Larry Todd
11. Mendelssohn's songs Susan Youens
12. Felix Mendelssohn's dramatic compositions: from Liederspiel to Lorelei Monika Hennemann
Part IV. Reception and Performance: 13. Mendelssohn received John Michael Cooper
14. Wagner as Mendelssohn: reversing habits and reclaiming meaning in the performance of Mendelssohn's music for orchestra and chorus Leon Botstein.

Subject Areas: Jewish studies [JFSR1], Romantic music [c 1830 to c 1900 AVGC5], Music [AV]