Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, a child prodigy, was the grandson of famed Enlightenment philosopher Moses Mendelssohn and the son of successful banker Abraham Mendelssohn.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mendelssohn's compositions consistently show a blend of modern romantic virtuosity and a thorough theoretical background focused on the 'old masters', particularly J.S. Bach.
Composition History
Mendelssohn played a significant role in realizing publications of J.S. Bach's organ music in Germany and England, where he had an admirable reputation and many contacts.
Performer Biography
Matthias Havinga, the organist on this album, is the 'organist titulaire' of the 1830 Bätz organ at the Koepelkerk in Amsterdam.
Notable Performances
Mendelssohn organized an organ concert dedicated to J.S. Bach's organ works at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, with the income paying for the first Bach monument adjacent to the church.
Composition History
Mendelssohn's organ sonatas were composed from 1844 onwards at the request of English publisher Charles Coventry, sometimes relying on earlier compositions.
Instruments
The Bätz organ (1830) of the Koepelkerk in Amsterdam, used for this recording, perfectly fits Mendelssohn's description of his ideal organ.
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