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Naxos

Great Composers in Words & Music: Felix Mendelssohn

$19.99

Details

Composer
Felix Mendelssohn
Artist
Various
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Nov 24, 2023
Catalog #
8578373
UPC
747313837373

About

The next instalment in this popular series now focuses on the life and music of Mendelssohn. This insightful biography explores the breadth of his achievements, the complexities of his privileged upbringing, and the reasons for the fluctuating nature of his reputation. Written by Davinia Caddy, narrated by Leighton Pugh, and featuring many musical excerpts include the Violin Concerto, String Octet and Elijah, as well as his choral works, symphonies, sonatas and songs.

Tracklist 32 tracks

  1. 1 Introduction 00:11
    Track
    1
    Title
    Introduction
    Duration
    00:11
  2. 2 Die beiden Neffen oder Der Onkel aus Boston (The Two Nephews, or The Uncle from Boston), MWV L4, Act I: Overture (excerpt) 01:14
    Track
    2
    Title
    Die beiden Neffen oder Der Onkel aus Boston (The Two Nephews, or The Uncle from Boston), MWV L4, Act I: Overture (excerpt)
    Duration
    01:14
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Ensemble
    Bach-Collegium Stuttgart
    Conductor
    Helmuth Rilling
  3. 3 Der Onkel aus Boston ('The Uncle from Boston'), a three-act dramatic work by Felix Mendelssohn, begun in May 1822 and completed in November 1823… 07:00
    Track
    3
    Title
    Der Onkel aus Boston ('The Uncle from Boston'), a three-act dramatic work by Felix Mendelssohn, begun in May 1822 and completed in November 1823…
    Duration
    07:00
  4. 4 6 Kinderstücke (6 Children's Pieces), Op. 72, "Christmas Pieces": No. 1. Allegro non troppo, MWV U171 00:59
    Track
    4
    Title
    6 Kinderstücke (6 Children's Pieces), Op. 72, "Christmas Pieces": No. 1. Allegro non troppo, MWV U171
    Duration
    00:59
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Performer
    Benjamin Frith
  5. 5 An extract from Mendelssohn's piano collection Kinderstücke ('Children's Pieces'), published after the composer' death in 1847… 02:57
    Track
    5
    Title
    An extract from Mendelssohn's piano collection Kinderstücke ('Children's Pieces'), published after the composer' death in 1847…
    Duration
    02:57
  6. 6 Lied zum Geburtstag meines guten Vaters, MWV K1 01:12
    Track
    6
    Title
    Lied zum Geburtstag meines guten Vaters, MWV K1
    Duration
    01:12
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Performer
    Robin Tritschler, Malcolm Martineau
  7. 7 By his early teens, Mendelssohn had already acquired an impressive portfolio of musical compositions across a range of genres: chamber music, psalm settings, string sinfonias and keyboard works… 05:41
    Track
    7
    Title
    By his early teens, Mendelssohn had already acquired an impressive portfolio of musical compositions across a range of genres: chamber music, psalm settings, string sinfonias and keyboard works…
    Duration
    05:41
  8. 8 String Octet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20, MWV R20: III. Scherzo: Allegro leggierissimo (excerpt) 01:00
    Track
    8
    Title
    String Octet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20, MWV R20: III. Scherzo: Allegro leggierissimo (excerpt)
    Duration
    01:00
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Ensemble
    Kodály Quartet, Auer String Quartet
  9. 9 A similar musical atmosphere was created in the second of Mendelssohn's towering early works: his Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, finished in early August 1826 and, like the Octet… 00:56
    Track
    9
    Title
    A similar musical atmosphere was created in the second of Mendelssohn's towering early works: his Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, finished in early August 1826 and, like the Octet…
    Duration
    00:56
  10. 10 A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, Op. 21, MWV P3 (excerpt) 01:36
    Track
    10
    Title
    A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, Op. 21, MWV P3 (excerpt)
    Duration
    01:36
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Ensemble
    Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Anthony Bramall
  11. 11 The period also witnessed the intensification of Mendelssohn's historical interest in earlier styles, particularly sacred vocal music… 03:10
    Track
    11
    Title
    The period also witnessed the intensification of Mendelssohn's historical interest in earlier styles, particularly sacred vocal music…
    Duration
    03:10
  12. 12 Hora est, MWV B18: Hora est 02:23
    Track
    12
    Title
    Hora est, MWV B18: Hora est
    Duration
    02:23
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Performer
    Sonntraud Engels-Benz
    Ensemble
    Kammerchor Stuttgart
    Conductor
    Frieder Bernius
  13. 13 1829 saw the beginning of Mendelssohn's Grand Tour of Europe, a series of excursions that took the composer north to Scotland and south to Italy… 02:32
    Track
    13
    Title
    1829 saw the beginning of Mendelssohn's Grand Tour of Europe, a series of excursions that took the composer north to Scotland and south to Italy…
    Duration
    02:32
  14. 14 The Hebrides in D Major, Op. 26, MWV P7, "Fingal's Cave" (excerpt) 01:06
    Track
    14
    Title
    The Hebrides in D Major, Op. 26, MWV P7, "Fingal's Cave" (excerpt)
    Duration
    01:06
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Ensemble
    Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Oliver von Dohnányi
  15. 15 At the home of a wealthy mine owner in north Wales, the next stop in his tour, Mendelssohn first contemplated a large-scale orchestral work now known as the Reformation Symphony… 04:49
    Track
    15
    Title
    At the home of a wealthy mine owner in north Wales, the next stop in his tour, Mendelssohn first contemplated a large-scale orchestral work now known as the Reformation Symphony…
    Duration
    04:49
  16. 16 Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90, MWV N16, "Italian": IV. Saltarello: Presto (excerpt) 01:09
    Track
    16
    Title
    Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90, MWV N16, "Italian": IV. Saltarello: Presto (excerpt)
    Duration
    01:09
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Ensemble
    National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland
    Conductor
    Reinhard Seifried
  17. 17 The second opportunity to present itself on Mendelssohn's return to Berlin, following his European tour, was the directorship of the 15th Niederrheinisches Musikfest… 02:08
    Track
    17
    Title
    The second opportunity to present itself on Mendelssohn's return to Berlin, following his European tour, was the directorship of the 15th Niederrheinisches Musikfest…
    Duration
    02:08
  18. 18 Overture in C Major, Op. 101, MWV P2, "Trumpet" (excerpt) 00:47
    Track
    18
    Title
    Overture in C Major, Op. 101, MWV P2, "Trumpet" (excerpt)
    Duration
    00:47
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Ensemble
    Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
    Conductor
    Neville Marriner
  19. 19 The success of Mendelssohn's directorship of the Düsseldorf festival – to one commentator, 'the greatest public success that he had yet had in Germany'… 05:19
    Track
    19
    Title
    The success of Mendelssohn's directorship of the Düsseldorf festival – to one commentator, 'the greatest public success that he had yet had in Germany'…
    Duration
    05:19
  20. 20 Paulus (St. Paul), Op. 36, MWV A14, Part II: How Lovely are the Messengers (Sung in English) (excerpt) 01:42
    Track
    20
    Title
    Paulus (St. Paul), Op. 36, MWV A14, Part II: How Lovely are the Messengers (Sung in English) (excerpt)
    Duration
    01:42
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Performer
    Peter Holder
    Ensemble
    St Albans Cathedral Girls Choir, Lay Clerks St Albans Cathedral Choir
    Conductor
    Tom Winpenny
  21. 21 Roughly one month earlier, the 9th of September 1836, Mendelssohn had become engaged to Cécile Jeanrenaud… 02:59
    Track
    21
    Title
    Roughly one month earlier, the 9th of September 1836, Mendelssohn had become engaged to Cécile Jeanrenaud…
    Duration
    02:59
  22. 22 3 Motets, Op. 39: No. 1. Veni, Domine (Hear my prayer, O Lord), MWV B24 (excerpt) 00:52
    Track
    22
    Title
    3 Motets, Op. 39: No. 1. Veni, Domine (Hear my prayer, O Lord), MWV B24 (excerpt)
    Duration
    00:52
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Performer
    Peter Holder
    Ensemble
    St Albans Cathedral Girls Choir
    Conductor
    Tom Winpenny
  23. 23 The next few years in Leipzig witnessed the completion of Mendelssohn's String Quartets Op. 44, his Piano Trio in D minor, the Overture 'Ruy Blas'… 03:31
    Track
    23
    Title
    The next few years in Leipzig witnessed the completion of Mendelssohn's String Quartets Op. 44, his Piano Trio in D minor, the Overture 'Ruy Blas'…
    Duration
    03:31
  24. 24 Organ Sonata in C Minor, Op. 65, No. 2, MWV W57: II. Allegro maestoso e vivace (excerpt) 01:05
    Track
    24
    Title
    Organ Sonata in C Minor, Op. 65, No. 2, MWV W57: II. Allegro maestoso e vivace (excerpt)
    Duration
    01:05
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Performer
    Stephen Tharp
  25. 25 It is easy to forget that, while Mendelssohn was most famous during his lifetime as a composer, conductor and virtuoso pianist, his skills extended to the organ… 03:12
    Track
    25
    Title
    It is easy to forget that, while Mendelssohn was most famous during his lifetime as a composer, conductor and virtuoso pianist, his skills extended to the organ…
    Duration
    03:12
  26. 26 Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O14: III. Allegro molto vivace (excerpt) 01:10
    Track
    26
    Title
    Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O14: III. Allegro molto vivace (excerpt)
    Duration
    01:10
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Performer
    Takako Nishizaki
    Ensemble
    Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Kenneth Jean
  27. 27 Hear My Prayer, a short standalone piece of sacred choral music also composed in 1844, cannot be described as a masterpiece… 01:03
    Track
    27
    Title
    Hear My Prayer, a short standalone piece of sacred choral music also composed in 1844, cannot be described as a masterpiece…
    Duration
    01:03
  28. 28 Hear My Prayer, WoO 15, MWV B49 (version for voice and organ) (excerpt) 01:28
    Track
    28
    Title
    Hear My Prayer, WoO 15, MWV B49 (version for voice and organ) (excerpt)
    Duration
    01:28
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Performer
    Laura Hicks, Peter Holder
    Conductor
    Tom Winpenny
  29. 29 Ten years after the premiere of St. Paul, Mendelssohn turned his attention once again to the genre of the oratorio: the result was Elijah… 02:06
    Track
    29
    Title
    Ten years after the premiere of St. Paul, Mendelssohn turned his attention once again to the genre of the oratorio: the result was Elijah…
    Duration
    02:06
  30. 30 Elijah, Op. 70, MWV A25, Part II: Alsdann wird euer Licht hervorbrechen (And then shall Your light break forth) (excerpt) 00:46
    Track
    30
    Title
    Elijah, Op. 70, MWV A25, Part II: Alsdann wird euer Licht hervorbrechen (And then shall Your light break forth) (excerpt)
    Duration
    00:46
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Ensemble
    MDR Rundfunkchor, MDR Sinfonieorchester
    Conductor
    Jun Märkl
  31. 31 Mendelssohn died on the 4th of November 1847 following a series of strokes… 03:38
    Track
    31
    Title
    Mendelssohn died on the 4th of November 1847 following a series of strokes…
    Duration
    03:38
  32. 32 Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Book 5, Op. 62: No. 28 in G Major, Op. 62, No. 4, MWV U175 01:30
    Track
    32
    Title
    Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Book 5, Op. 62: No. 28 in G Major, Op. 62, No. 4, MWV U175
    Duration
    01:30
    Composer
    Felix Mendelssohn
    Performer
    Péter Nagy