Memoirs of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. From the German of W.A. Lampadius with supplementary sketches by Julius Benedict, Henry F. Chorley, Ludwig Rellstab, Bayard Taylor, R.S. Willis, and J.S. Dwight;

Front matter

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CHAPTER I. PaGu

Mend@alssohn’s Parentage and Birth.— Precocious Talents. —

Stadies with Zelter.— Zelter’s Letters to Goethe regarding Mendelssohn. — He is taken to Paris by his Father to see Cherubini. — Compliments from Goethe. — Mendelssohn visits England. — He visits Goethe. — Goethe’s Influence on the Musician’s whole Career.— He becomes Moscheles’ Pupil. — “Midsummer Night’s Dream’? Overture. — He studies at Berlin University. — Preparations to travel. . »« » « « ©

IL.

Mendelssohn visits England. — Concerts in London with Sontag. —First Public Performance ever given of the “‘ Midsummer Night’s Dream” Overture. — He visits Scotland and the Hebrides. — He returns to Germany, visits Munich, and then sets his Steps towards Italy. — His Sojourn in Italy, and its Fruits. — He visits Paris; thence goes to London; afterwards, Home to Berlin. . . «© 2 2 2 © ee ee eh oe ee iil.

_ Mendelssohn applies for the Directorship of the Sing-Academie in Berlin. —Is disappointed. — Assumes Charge of the

Diisseldorf Musical Festival. — A new Epoch in his Life.

—Success in Diisseldorf — Flying Trip to London, and [ vii]

vill CONTENTS.

Faan Concerts there. —The Diisseldorf Festival.—He is chosen Municipal Music Director.—Friendship with Immermann. —Their united labors. — Estrangement. — Cologne Musical Festival. — Efforts to secure Mendelssohn at Leipzig. - - - 83

IV.

Mendelssohn becomes the Director of the Gewandhaus Concerts at Leipzig. — His Strict Training of the Orchestra. — His Efforts to educate a Refined Taste for Classical Music. — His First Appearance with the Baton. — The Concerts under his Direction. — Ferdinand David comes to Leipzig. . . . 44 ve

Mendelssohn finishes his “ St. Paul.” —Its First Performance. — Changes in the Work. — He directs a Festival at Frankfort. — Enjoyment in that City. —Meets his Future Wife. — Tribute to her Memory. — Sea-bathing. — Returns to his place at Leipzig. — Concerts there.— Mendelssohn as a Director. — Pleasant Surprise at one of the Concerts. — William Sterndale Bennett visits Leipzig. — ‘St. Paul’ sung there. — Brilliant Effect of the Work.— Analysis of “St. Paul.” . 47

VI.

Mendelssohn’s Marriage. — New Works. — He directs the “ St. Paul” at Birmingham, England. — Leipzig Concerts. — Clara Novello. — A Brilliant Winter. — Composition of the Forty-second Psalm. — Analysis of the Music. — New Music. — The Historical Concerts instituted by him.— He directs the Cologne Festival. — Repetition of “St. Paul” at Leipzig. . . €1

Vil.

The Leipzig Concerts. — Mrs. Alfred Shaw.— A memorable Musical Winter. — Mendelssohn conducts the Spring Festival at Diisseldorf.-- The Next Winter’s Concerts. —The Hundred and Fourteenth Psalm: its Musical Effects. — New. Instrumental Musics + is belies eel: Giisiiecines mmo a/s

CONTENTS. ix

VI.

Page Ihe “ Hymn of Praise.” — Its Occasion, History, First Performance, Musical Character, and Remarkable Success.» . » « 79

IX.

Efforts to erect a Monument to Bach.— Concerts given by Mendelssohn to raise Money for this Object. — “ Hymn of Praise’? in England. — Mendelssohn’s Visit to Queen Victoria. — He returns to Leipzig. — He is specially honored by the King of Saxony. — New Musical Activity. — The Leipzig Concerts. — He plays with Clara Schumann. — Directs Bach’s “ Passion Music.” — Careful Training of his Singers. 89

X.

Mendelssohn is made Doctor of Philosophy.—The King of Saxony offers him his Kapellmeistership. — The King of Prussia, Frederick William IV., does the same. — The Post accepted.-- Composition of the Music for the “ Antigone” of Sophocles. — Representation of the Tragedy in the Royal Palace.— Episode at Leipzig. — Appearance of the Great Symphony in A Minor.—The “Antigone” at Leipzig. — Visit to Dtisseldorf.— New Honors from the King of Prussia. — Journey to Lausanne. — His Stay at Frankfort. — Architectural Improvements at Leipzig. - Varied Activity. — Founding of the Leipzig Conservatorium of Music. —Loss of his Mother. . . - - - « + 101

XI.

Opening of the Leipzig Conservatorium. — Productive Activity. —“First Walpurgis Night.” — Leipzig Concerts. — Active Interest in the Conservatorium. — ‘‘Midsummer Night's

Dream” at Leipzig. - - 2+ + © 2 ss es ee eo 8 120 x CONTENTS.

XII.

Pacer

Life at Berlin.— Unacceptable Changes. — Mendelssohn’s Extiaordinary Activity.— Participates in London Concerts. — Directs the Palatinate Musical Festival. — The King of Prussia releases him from his Engagement. — “ Cidipus in Colonos.’? — Robert Schumann’s ‘‘ B-flat Symphony.” — Jenny Lind in Leipzig... » “7. « « + . « » « -« « 183

XU.

The “ Elijah.””— Conducts the Music Festivals at Aix-la- Chapelle, Liége, and Cologne.— Goes to England to direct the First Performance of “ Elijah’? at Birmingham. Brilliant Success of the Oratorio. — Instance of Mendelssohn’s Facility in Composition. — Declining Health. — His Sister Fanny’s Death.—Its Effect upon him.— He seeks Alleviation in Renewed Activity. — Retires to Switzerland.

— Begins the Oratorio of “Christ,” and the Opera “ Loreley.””— Sickness and Sudden Death. . 2... » « « 148

XIV.

General Grief over his Loss. — Imposing Obsequies. — His Remains are carried to Berlin. — Honors all along the Way. — The Berlin Solemnities.— Honors paid to his Memory in Foreign Lands as well as throughout Germany. — Depth of Sorrow at Leipzig, and its Manifestation. . . 154

XY.

Sketch of Mendelssohn’s Personal Appearance. — His Christian Character. — His Kindness, Geniality, and Courtesy. — His Restless Activity.— His Cordiality to other Great Artists. —Liszt’s Visit to Leipzig, and his Reception by Mendelssohn. — Hector Berlioz at Leipzig. —Spohr’s Visit. . . . 162

XVI.

Wonderful Union of the Highest Gifts in Mendelssohn. — His Power as a Conductor. — Incidents. — His Skill as a Virtuoso. — His Greatness as a Composer. — Conclusion. . . 172

CONTENTS. xi