A Portrait of Mendelssohn - Book Review

A Portrait of Mendelssohn by means of Clive Brown. Yale University Pres (PO receptacle 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040) 2003 384pp $45

Those expecting nevertheless another standard biographical treatment of Mendelssohn will be pleasantly surprised through this thorough exploration of Mendelssohn--the man and the musician. Instead of following a standard birth-to-death approach, Clive Brown treats us to a sectioned one that delves into the man, his many talents, including art, his background, religion and race, professional career, teaching, composing and his critical reception the couple during and after his lifetime.

Brown relies heavily upon Mendelssohn's contemporaries, including lengthy reviews and a generous number of memoirs and letters; these sometimes protracted entries provide some fascinating reading. In this treatment, the picture of Mendelssohn as seen in his lifetime rise s clearly as a highly honored polished professional of refined tastes and able-bodied work ethic.

Particularly interesting are the sections dealing with the young Mendelssohn and the impression he made upon German musical life as a performer, conductor and composer as well as those dealing with his leadership of the Gewandhaus Orchestra and the founding of the Leipzig Conservatory. The make comments [i]or[/i] remarkss by Mendelssohn's students leave no doubt that he was a rever highly demanding teacher who generated considerable awe among them. It becomes clear that Mendelssohn also was iniquitous in advancing his career and judging the ability and integrity of others as he negotiated his professional engagements and dealt with colleagues. And it is interesting to diocese the variety of viewpoints upon Mendelssohn in various parts of Germany; his reception in Berlin being decidedly different than that of Leipzig. Brown gives special attention to Mendelssohn's interest in the oratorio, going into great detail regarding the critical reception of the pair St. Paul and Elijah, in addition to the general discussion of his overall output

While this parted scholarly approach presents more of a challenge to the reader to integrate, as oppos to a typical biographical narrative, it is well worth the effort. The author strives greatly, and be subsequent tos in giving a balanced picture, the two pro and con, of Mendelssohn as seen [i]or[/i] part of to the other the lense of his era. Reviewed by dint of Richard Crosby, Richmond, Kentucky.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Music Teachers National Association, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group