Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Felix Mendelssohn was one of the most gifted and versatile musicians the world has ever seen. As a child prodigy he was likened to Mozart and he grew to become one of the most famous and beloved composers in Europe, during the middle of the 19th century. His life was cut tragically short, at the age of 38, while he was at the very height of his powers. This week, Donald Macleod focuses on the final five years of Mendelssohn’s life, and follows the composer through his extremely hectic work schedule which undoubtedly contributed to his early demise.

Music Featured:

Lied ohne Worte in E minor, Op 62 No 3 (Trauermarsch) Paulus, Op 36 (excerpt) Cello Sonata No 2 in D, Op 58 A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op 61 (excerpt) O for the wings of a dove! (From Hear My Prayer) Lieder ohne Worte in B flat, Op 62 No 2, 5-6 Lieder ohne Worte in E flat, Op 67 No 1 Violin Concerto in E minor, Op 64 Organ Sonata No 5 in D, Op 65 Wenn sich zwei Herzen scheiden, Op 99 No 5 Lieder ohne Worte in C, Op 67 No 4 Lieder ohne Worte in A, Op 85 No 5 Lieder ohne Worte in D, Op 102 No 2-3 Piano Trio No 2 in C minor, Op 66 Athalie, Op 74 (Overture & War March) Lied ohne Worte in D minor (Reiterlied) Rondo Brilliant in E flat, Op 29 Lauda Sion, Op 73 Nachtlied, Op 71 No 6 Jubilate, Op 69 Symphony No 3 in A minor, Op 56 “Scottish” (Vivace non troppo & Adagio) String Quartet in F minor, Op 80

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000shr0

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z