The Life of Mendelssohn

by Peter Mercer-Taylor

Overview

This biography of composer and pianist Felix Mendelssohn traces his development from musical child prodigy to a conductor whose influence as an advocate of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven is still felt to this day. A great deal of attention is paid to Mendelssohn's early nineteenth-century cultural surroundings and the book includes interpretation and discussion of major works, without use of musical examples or technical language, placing them within the context of his personal and public life. This is the first new biography of Mendelssohn to appear in some seventeen years.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521630252
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/28/2000
Series:	Musical Lives
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.67(d)

Table of Contents

List of illustrations; Acknowledgements; 1. Beginnings; 2. The prodigy; 3. First maturity; 4. The Grand Tour; 5. Frustrations in Berlin and Düsseldorf; 6. Scaling the heights in Leipzig; 7. More frustrations in Berlin; 8. Endings; Notes; Further reading; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"A fine volume in Cambridge's highly regarded "Musical Lives" series, this biography...concisely, charmingly, and intelligently presents the composer and his music...Recommended as a core collection item for public and academic libraries." Library Journal

"...elegantly presented and visually appealing. Mercer-Taylor writes clearly and engagingly." Journal of Musicological Research

From the Publisher

A fine volume in Cambridge's highly regarded "Musical Lives" series, this biography of Felix Mendelssohn (1809-47) concisely, charmingly, and intelligently presents the composer and his music, family history, cultural setting, and creative aspirations. Mendelssohn scholar Mercer-Taylor makes perceptive use of primary sources for a generally educated audience. The book contains no musical examples but plentiful allusions to monumental works in the Western art music tradition, some of which Mendelssohn revived for performance. The author describes pieces in ways music lovers can appreciate and places the composer in the context of his times for historians who seek breadth in biographies. The bibliographic essay gracefully guides readers to other sources. Recommended as a core collection item for public and academic libraries.--Bonnie Jo Dopp, Univ. of Maryland Libs., College Park Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal