The Life of Mendelssohn (Musical Lives)

By Peter Mercer-Taylor

Book Overview

Famous for a handful of compositions that continue to sparkle with originality, Mendelssohn, as conductor and scholar, was also one of the principal architects of the musical canon that has underpinned concert life to this day. Mendelssohn was one of music's greatest child prodigies. This book roots his early years firmly in the cultural and familial histories that shaped his childhood: the rise of his grandfather, Moses, from obscure poverty to international renown as a philosopher; his aunts' leading role in turn-of-the-century salon culture; his father's career as one of Berlin's most successful bankers. At the same time, this book confronts head-on the myth that Mendelssohn's was a happy, untroubled existence. The composer's last decade was marked by ceaseless psychological turmoil, torn between a staggering performance schedule and a yearning to dedicate his life exclusively to the wife and children he adored, and to the compositional drive that was too often neglected.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521639727
• ISBN13: 9780521639729
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Fluent, clear guide to a much-maligned composer

Previously unfamiliar to me, Peter Mercer-Taylor is a fluent narrator (though he does not always write as well as he can, and at times lapses into Madison Avenue vulgarity). For all who esteem this much-maligned composer, Mercer-Taylor will prove an exceptionally clear guide to the surprisingly large amount of Mendelssohn's output which we almost never hear. I recently gave this book as a wedding present to a bride much enamoured of Mendelssohn's achievement; she seems to have found Mercer-Taylor thoroughly readable and satisfying.

Tracing of Significant Composer

Mendelssohn is traced through his life as to influences, both spiritually, musically and elsewhere.Raised in upper class surroundings, he and sister Fanny were certainly cultivated in rich musical and literary heritage. So no surprise that Mendelssohn honored his musical heritiage and was fond of Bach especially.Climb to fame capsulated well in this biographical look with specific references given at appropriate times on musical and theological insights. This all culminates late in his life with tension over all his duties both musically and family and they take their toil.Never happy living in Germany, persistently traveling which also for sure took its toll. Creative output continues to reverberate throughtout concert halls.Truly a tightly written account of significant musical contributor.

An Extremely Enjoyable Experience

With a smooth and easy-to-read style that is brimming with factual details and emotive feelings, Mr. Mercer-Taylor's writing provides a concise and highly articulate story of Felix Mendelssohn's life. Mendelssohn's many significant contributions as a composer, musician, conductor, teacher and adminstrator are presented in an interesting collage of personalities and historical events of the times. In particular, the author's description of Mendelssohn's music captures its essence perfectly. An extremely enjoyable reading experience.