Caught Between the Hammer and the Anvil: Mendelssohn's Reputation

Felix Mendelssohn is the most underrated master in classical music history.  Not as transcendant as Mozart, not as powerful as Beethoven, not as intimate as Schumann, not as poignant as Schubert, not as idiosyncratic as Chopin, not as quirky as Berlioz, Mendelssohn seems to fall between two stools…at least for many listeners.  His technique alone qualifies him for the pantheon.  And technique matters, and not just to musicians.  It’s pretty facile to say, “oh, well, you know, I don’t care about all that fancy technical stuff, I want music that moves me.”  Counterpoint, instrumentation, formal subtlety are rewarding in themselves.  Plus, Mendelssohn is transcendant, powerful, intimate, poignant, idiosyncratic, etc.  He was just too intelligent, too urbane, too refined to allow his music to be dominated by any single characteristic. He doesn’t “wear his heart on his sleeve”.  Mendelssohn requires a listener who doesn’t need to be blown away all the time, a listener who cares about the craft of musical composition.

It is well known that Mendelssohn’s reputation has been deeply harmed by anti-semitism, most famously in Richard Wagner’s screed, “Judaism in Music”.  And everbody knows that his statue in Leipzig was pulled down by the Nazis and his music banned.   But I don’t really think that antisemitism is the principal reason for the relative undervaluing of his work.  I think many listeners impose the wrong (Beethoven or Wagner) context on him.  The right context (Bach and Mozart) may lead listeners to a greater appreciation of his gifts.

Now, one might say, “What are you talking about, Mendelssohn is a staple of the repertory, in concert and on recording.”  My riposte? Mendelssohn is underrated until such time as he achieves the status of Schumann, Liszt, and Brahms, and perhaps he is deserving of the status accorded to Schubert and Chopin as well.  These rankings are a parlor game, I know.  Individual tastes differ, naturally, but it probably should be acknowleged that Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Wagner are the untouchable four, comprising the benchmarks against which other greats may be measured.  And why have I neglected to mention Haydn? For shame.

Comments

[Ryan]

I love Mendelssohn's music. It's some of the hardest stuff to play in the rep. Technically harder than Beethoven, as transparent as Mozart and some of the more wicked use of articulation in the Rep. Ask any orchestral performer how they feel about the Scherzo from Midsummer Nights Dream. Put down the third, forth symphony's and Fingals Cave as some of my favorite pieces ever.

[Richard Shubart]

Like you said, John, it’s an endless parlor game because once you let in Herr Haydn, who’s going to keep out Verdi, R. Strauss, and a pantheon full of deserving composers? I agree with Ryan’s three choices as works that are enjoyable in addition to pleasing and challenging to play. But how about equal time for Herr Schumann, the other half of this course? His progressive oeuvre helped moved the “relatively conservative” first half of the 19th century into the “more progressive” second half. It’s sad that he and Mendelssohn lived only 46 and 38 years respectively. For a new parlor game, we can only image what their output would have been over another 20+ years!

[JG]

It's Schubert and Mozart masterworks we're missing 'cause they died young. Mendelssohn and Schumann's best work is in their relative youth. But, who knows? They might have found the magic again. I'll get to Schumann! I promise. Can't do everything at once. I agree, Ryan's choices are excellent.

[Ken Woods]

Well said. Couldn't agree more. Here are some thoughts from several months ago on much the same topic. Cheers.

http://kennethwoods.net/blog1/2006/10/09/162/

And yes, Haydn may be king of them all...

[Coach Outlet Online]

Burberry, maker of the classic trench coat and plaid scarf, Coach Store Online has transformed itself into one of the hottest brands in fashion today making Coach Outlet Online Store . The Coach Factory Outlet is a mainstay of high fashion, so much so many companies have started making replica Coach Factory Outlet Store.
Coach Factory was founded in 1856 by 21 year old Thomas Burberry a apprentice to a country draper in England. He started by opening a outfitters shop. Originally known as an outdoor wear manufacturer, Coach Outlet Online Store invented Gabardine which is a breathable, waterproof fabric that is made by waterproofing the yarn prior to weaving. This was patented in 1888. Coach Factory Outlet Online Most of the original line was directed towards outerwear and military uniforms. In 1901 the familiar Burberry Equestrian Knight was developed and registered as a trademark. In the 1920's theCoach Factory Outlet Online which had been used as a lining for their trench coat was trademarked. It has since become synonymous with Coach Outlet Online. These distinctive trench coats have been seen in movies. For example Humphrey Bogart wore one in Casablanca, Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther films, and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. And this is how the burberry handbag and replica burberry handbags craze iniated.
The Coach Outlet Onlineentered the scene around strong around 1999 when the appointment of Italian designed Robert Menchetti to the division renewed the brands popularity. Prior to this it was slumping because of a very conservative image and an Asian recession which had always been a stronghold for the company. But soon Coach Outlet will be seen worldwide.
Such notables as David Beckham, Coach Factory Tamara Beckwith, and Spice Girl Victoria Adams Coach Bag fully embraced the new approach along with Prince William and Kate Moss. It looks as if the Coach Outlet Store is finally among the elite chic of the fashion world.
A few of the more notableCheap Coach Purses styles include :
The Ultra-chic Burberry Blue Check handbag is compact, lightweight and ideal for today's fashionable woman. Coach Purse Outlet Online Attractive blue, white, ivory tan and black cover vinyl-coated canvas in the familiar Coach Outlet Stores is accented with tan leather trim. Full-length zippered top opens to reveal a canvas lined interior. Matching tan leather strap fits comfortably on the shoulder. Blue Check Coach Outlet Coupon is 10-1/4 inches wide, 4-3/4 inches high and 1-3/4 inches deep. Shoulder strap is 26-inches long. This handbag typically sells for approximately 450 dollars. Truly a stunningCoach Factory Store Online . A replica burberry handbag of the same style will run you about 100 dollars.
Cheap Coach Bags Check Snowdrop handbag is compact, sleekly styled and just right for today's busy woman. This colors of pink, white and tan for the Candy Check cover in vinyl-coated canvas. It is accented with matching tan leather piped trim.

[dfgd]

Christmas sale <h1>coach handbags outlet</h1>
So much that one cannot bear to part with it <h1>cheap designer handbags</h1>
cheap designer handbags<h1>cheap coach handbags</h1>
Single product sales <h1>authentic jerseys suppliers</h1>
Delicate and beautiful <h1>cheap coach bags</h1>
Buy want to buy products <h1>coach outlet</h1>
Design Division <h1>coach outlet store online</h1>
Beautiful and durable <h1>coach factory outlet</h1>
Good quality affordable <h1>nfl jerseys suppliers</h1>
The most fashionable cheap <h1>cheap nfl jerseys</h1>
Spot buying <h1>coach bags on sale</h1> Welcome to buy

[Coach Outlet Online]

87<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Purses Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Store Online</h1>
<h1>Cheap Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Purse</h1>
<h1>Authentic Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Chanel Bags</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bag</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Purse Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlets</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Stores Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton USA</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Online</h1>
<h1>www.louisvuitton.com</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Purse Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Purses Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbags Outlet</h1>
<h1>Chanel Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Cheap Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Chanel Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Sunglasses</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>LV Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coco Chanel Bags</h1>
<h1>Chanel Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Purses</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbags Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Chanel Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Burberry Outlet</h1>
<h1>Burberry Scarf</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Bag</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory</h1>
<h1>Coach Purses Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Store</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Bags</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Store</h1>
<h1>www.louisvuitton.com</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbags Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Factory Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Handbag Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Stores</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbag Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Cheap Coach Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Chanel Bags</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>www.louisvuitton.com</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Purses</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Chanel Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlets</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Purses</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Chanel Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory</h1>
<h1>Coach Bags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Purses</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Purses</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Outlet Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Bags Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Stores Online</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Online Sale</h1>
<h1>Coach Store Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Handbags</h1>
<h1>Coach Purse Outlet</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton Outlet Online</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Online Store</h1>
<h1>Coach Factory Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coco Chanel Handbags</h1>
<h1>Burberry Outlet</h1>
<h1>Coach Online Factory Store</h1>
<h1>Louis Vuitton</h1>
<h1>Coach Outlet Store Online</h1>