To taste happiness

by Petar PLAMENOV

1 April (Friday), 2011
Celebrating the 200 anniversary of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847)
NFC Svetoslav Obretenov
Bulgaria Hall
Grand Hall, 19:00
Address:
Sofia, 1 Aksakov Str.
Working time: mon-sun 09:00–18:30
Phone: 02 987 76 56

Conducted by: Liuba Pesheva 
Program: Motets, Hymns, Psalms, Prayers


Felix Mendelssohn is regarded by classical music aficionados and critics alike, as one of the most prolific and gifted composers the world has ever known. Even those who could not name any of his works have heard it, as his "Wedding March" from "A Midsummer Night's Dream", which has accompanied many a bride down the aisle. Whether he was born with his incredible talent or was the product of an artistically and intellectually-inclined family will remain a mystery, but like all prodigies, Mendelssohn showed signs of true genius from childhood.

Regarded by some critics as the 19th century equivalent of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and others as a great composer who's contribution would have been greater, had his life been marred with more hardships, everyone should agree that he deserves his place amongst the best, and most influential.





The sacred choral works of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy span nearly the composers entire career, and encompass an especially rich cross section of his music, beginning with the precocious student works of the 1820s and culminating in the magisterial oratorio Elijah, premiered in 1846 and published in full score only weeks before his death in November 1847.

All told, Mendelssohn completed well over 50 sacred compositions, among them a cappella motets, cantatas, psalm settings, occasional liturgical pieces, and oratorios. The œuvre comprises settings of German texts for the Protestant church, Latin settings for the Catholic church, a few works for the Anglican service, and a setting of Psalm 100 for the Temple in Hamburg. Much of Mendelssohn’s sacred music was first heard not in the church but in the concert hall, and in the large, popular music festivals he conducted in Germany and England during the 1830s and 1840s. 
Mendlssohn was a highly self-critical composer who constantly polished his music. The fact that there is still no complete catalog of Mendelssohn’s music and its sources makes it difficult to complete the editorial work. The completion of the Carus edition culminates more than two decades of effort to make available to the public critical performing editions of the complete sacred music, including 38 works published for the first time.


 

Прочети цялата новина

Свързани новини: