FELIX MENDELSSOHN Nocturno for Winds, Mvt. I and II
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Nocturno for Winds, Mvt. I and II
“ It’ s not that music is too imprecise for words, but too precise.” – Mendelssohn
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1809 in Hamburg, Germany; died 1847 in Leipzig, Germany
• Mendelssohn was born in Hamburg into a prominent Jewish family. His grandfather was the well-respected philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. Felix eventually converted to Christianity, most likely to be more well accepted in society, although that did not prevent him from experiencing anti-Semitism throughout his life.
• Mendelssohn was a musical prodigy showing immense talent from an early age. His sister Fanny also displayed great musical talents; however, due to her gender, she was not allowed to pursue composing as a career. Felix published several of Fanny’ s works for her under his name.
• Mendelssohn passed away when he was only 38 years old but remains one of the most celebrated composers of the early Romantic period. His legacy stretches beyond his own compositions: not only did he found the Leipzig Conservatory, but he also played a major role in reviving interest in the music of J. S. Bach.
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE
1826
MUSIC Beethoven’ s String Quartet in C-Sharp Minor
FUN FACT
Felix Mendelssohn was a skilled visual artist who worked in paint and watercolors throughout his life.
TECHNOLOGY The first railway tunnel is built
ABOUT THE PIECE
• Mendelssohn composed his Nocturno for Winds in 1826 for a German spa band that consisted of 11 wind players.
• The composition was later used as the basis for his Overture for Winds, op. 24.
LITERATURE Kobayashi Issa enters his final creative period
HISTORY The American Temperance Society is founded
BSO SESSIONS | MAY-JUNE 2021
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