I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, and my theme this year is classical music. Check out the list of other participants by clicking here! F is for Felix Mendelssohn, a German composer who lived from 1809 to 1847. Today's featured video is the 4th movement of his Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90, which is commonly known as the Italian Symphony. It is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Stefan Sanderling.
Video link: https://youtu.be/8nRfZqPWMfw
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| Mendelssohn's "View at Lucerne" painting |
· Felix
Mendelssohn was a child prodigy. He had four operas and 12 string symphonies,
among other works, by the age of 12! Beethoven wrote of Felix in one of his
conversation books: “Mendelssohn – 12 years old – promises much.”
· Mendelssohn
was not only proficient in music, he also did well in painting, poetry,
athletics, and linguistics.
· He met
Queen Victoria in 1824, and dedicated his “Scottish” Symphony to her.
· Mendelssohn
married Cécile Charlotte Sophie Jeanrenaud in 1837 and they had five children
together.
· The
Wedding March that many brides march to down the aisle came from his suite of
incidental music for Shakespeare’s A
Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Christmas hymn, Hark! The Herald Angels
Sing is based on a tune adapted from his cantata Festgesang.
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| His study in Leipzig |
· Mendelssohn
was also a fantastic conductor, he was one of the first to use a baton to keep
time.
For
this challenge, I’m keeping a playlist of the videos I’m using plus some extras
for anyone who wants to hear more. I will update with the latest letter each
day. For today’s bonus video, I’m using a
different composer whose first name starts with F! Composing music is not an exclusively male occupation,
Felix’s older sister, Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel had a selection of piano pieces
of her own. I added her very lovely Notturno in G Minor played by Heather
Schmidt.
Mendelssohn was multi-talented! Are there multiple fields that you like to engage in?
Trivia for today: What did Felix Mendelssohn's grandfather Moses Mendelssohn do?
I wonder how he got any composing work done with 5 children in the house!
ReplyDeleteCynthia, that's an interesting thought, I don't know how he did it!
Deleteappreciate your sharing
ReplyDeleteDenise, I'm glad you enjoy it so far.
DeleteLet's see. I like to write fiction, I have degrees in math and biology, and I'm a tiny bit good at fine arts. Not too shabby. I wish I'd kept up with my piano lessons though.
ReplyDeleteTamara, that is a broad spectrum of subjects :)
DeleteHis music sounds very upbeat! Something to listen to for inspiration I think.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say for the answer to your trivia question that he was also a musician?
I would like to have several talents myself, playing an instrument, drawing, and painting come to mind :)
betty
Betty, his music inspires me :) I would also love to be able to paint or play an instrument well.
DeleteI've always wanted to learn to play the piano, actually!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, me too!
DeleteF is for Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathe!
DeleteInteresting the era of the musical genius. Is there anyone today that comes close? 12 years old too!
ReplyDeleteYolanda, it's hard too see real talent nowadays with the media making hype over everything, good or bad!
DeleteI've always rather liked Mendelssohn. I don't know the answer to the trivia question. But I do engage in multiple endeavors. Keeps things interesting.
ReplyDeleteLiz A. from
Laws of Gravity
Liz, I agree, it's fun to do a variety of different things :)
DeleteI enjoyed this composer and when I was in Vienna, I went to see a ballet. I was so looking forward to this and when it started, I was enchanted....until the scenes with the fairies came on. They got rid of Mendelssohn's music and put in some modern crap. They wore white skin tight outfits and white bathing caps....it was horrible
DeleteBirgit, that does sound terrible!
Delete