Casual Classics No. 2 - Anatomy of a Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

F. Mendelssohn, Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream

“Verleih’ Uns Frieden”

“Abschied vom Walde“

“Schlafe Liebchen”

“Hor Mein Bitten”

Symphony No. 3, “Scottish”

2009 is not only Lincoln’s bicentennial, but also Mendelssohn’s! Let’s dissect the musical output of this man - prodigy, successful composer and greatest conductor of his time. Already at age 17 he composed an extraordinary masterpiece, the magical concert overture for Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of the finest overtures in the repertoire. Some of his greatest works are written for the voice. Two expressive motets, two beautiful a capella songs – for mixed and men’s choir – that have become folk songs. And finally his last symphony – inspired by the mysterious landscape of Scotland. But there’s a considerable controversy: exactly how “Scottish“ is it?