The Companion to Mendelssohn, is written by leading scholars in the field. In fourteen chapters they explore the life, work, and reception of a composer-performer once thought uniquely untroubled in life and art alike, but who is now broadly understood as one of the nineteenth century's most deeply problematic musical figures. The first section of the volume considers issues of biography, with chapters dedicated to Mendelssohn's role in the emergence of Europe's modern musical institutions, to the persistent tensions of his German-Jewish identity, and to his close but enigmatic relationship with his gifted older sister, Fanny. The following nine essays survey Mendelssohn's expansive and multi-faceted musical output, marked as it was by successes in almost every contemporary musical genre outside of opera. The volume's two closing essays confront, in turn, the turbulent course of Mendelssohn's posthumous reception and some of the challenges his music continues to pose for modern performers.

"An excellent starting place for 21st-century research on Mendelssohn." Choice

Surveys the life, work, and posthumous reception of 19th-century German-Jewish composer Felix Mendelssohn.

This collection of fourteen essays, authored by leading scholars in the field, surveys the life, work, and posthumous reception of nineteenth-century German-Jewish composer Felix Mendelssohn. While engaging with the most up-to-date scholarly literature, each chapter also provides sufficient background information to provide an introduction to Mendelssohn for the virtual newcomer.

Authored by leading scholars in the field, this collection of fourteen essays surveys the life, work, and posthumous reception of the nineteenth-century German-Jewish composer. Sections cover aspects of biography as well as Felix Mendelssohn's expansive and multi-faceted musical output. Two closing essays confront the turbulent course of his posthumous reception and the challenges his music continues to pose for modern performers.

Surveys the life, work, and posthumous reception of nineteenth-century German-Jewish composer Felix Mendelssohn.

Peter Mercer-Taylor is Associate Professor of Musicology at the University of Minnesota School of Music. He is the author of The Life of Mendelssohn (Cambridge, 2000) and has published in a number of journals including The Journal of Musicology and Popular Music and Society.

Introduction: Mendelssohn as border-dweller Peter Mercer-Taylor; Part I. Issues in Biography: 1. Mendelssohn and the institution(s) of German art music Peter Mercer-Taylor; 2. Mendelssohn and Judaism Michael P. Steinberg; 3. Felix and Fanny: gender, biography, and history Marian Wilson-Kimber; Part II. Situating the Compositions: 4. Mendelssohn and the rise of musical historicism James Garratt; 5. Mendelssohn as progressive Greg Vitercik; Part III. Profiles of the Music: 6. Symphony and Overture Douglass Seaton; 7. The works for solo instrument(s) and orchestra Steve Lindeman; 8. Mendelssohn's chamber music Thomas Schmidt-Beste; 9. The music for keyboard Glenn Stanley; 10. On Mendelssohn's sacred music, real and imaginary R. Larry Todd; 11. Mendelssohn's songs Susan Youens; 12. Felix Mendelssohn's dramatic compositions: from Liederspiel to Lorelei Monika Hennemann; Part IV. Reception and Performance: 13. Mendelssohn received John Michael Cooper; 14. Wagner as Mendelssohn: reversing habits and reclaiming meaning in the performance of Mendelssohn's music for orchestra and chorus Leon Botstein.