Mendelssohn: Choral Works

Featuring

Philipp Ahmann
MDR Rundfunkchor
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

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Historical Context

In the 19th century, sacred music moved from the church to the concert hall, a phenomenon Mendelssohn's oratorios like 'Paulus' and 'Elijah' exemplify.

Composition History

Mendelssohn initially believed that a "real church music" for Protestant services was impossible, as he couldn't imagine where music would fit into the service.

Composer Biography

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's Jewish family converted to Christianity, and he was deeply influenced by Protestant musical culture, especially through his teacher Carl Friedrich Zelter, director of the Singakademie.

Compositional Technique

Mendelssohn's sacred choral music blends diverse idioms and compositional practices, from Gregorian chant to Bach and Palestrina, into his unique personal style.

Composition History

Despite his reservations, Mendelssohn composed sacred music for various Christian denominations, including Protestant, Catholic (for French nuns in Rome), and Anglican services.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Mendelssohn's sacred music often incorporates an antiphonal or responsorial practice, with alternating solos and choir, reflecting a church service's structure.