Neun Psalmen und das Cantique
Contents
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Composer
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
| 1809-1847Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847) is regarded as one of the most important composers of the Romantic period. His compositions combine the formal clarity of the Viennese Classical period with the heightened expressiveness of the 19th century. His engagement with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach was particularly influential; he played a key role in its rediscovery through the performance of the St Matthew Passion in 1829.
Among his best-known vocal works are his two oratorios, Paulus and Elias, as well as his chorale cantata Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich. Furthermore, Mendelssohn worked as a conductor, pianist and music teacher, and made a significant contribution to the professionalisation of the concert scene and to the development of the Leipzig Conservatoire. His work occupies a central position in 19th-century music history and combines a sense of tradition with Romantic sound aesthetics.
Personal details
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Editor
Pietro Zappalà
Reviews
Herr, sei gnädig Felix Mendelssohn
Herr, sei gnädig: Felix Mendelssohn
Ave, maris stella: Edvard Grieg
These two sacred works are published back-to-back in this moderately priced score. ”Herr; sei gnädig” (Lord, Have Mercy upon Us) is a plaintive work written in fugal style. The subject uses a poignant appoggiatura and a singular leap of a fifth to provide a distinctive sense of pleading. The addition of an ascending chromatic countermelody heightens this effect. While the vocal ranges are very comfortable, frequent chromaticisms and dissonances make this brief work challenging.
In contrast to the horizontal focus of Mendelssohn's fugue, Grieg's setting of the familiar Latin text ”Ave, maris stella” is largely homophonic. Seventh chords provide the primary vocabulary for two stunning harmonic progressions: the first featuring third relations and the second presenting a textbook tour through the circle of fifths. The music is repeated strophically for the second verse, before giving war to a simple ”amen”. A broad range of dynamics provides the final romantic touch to this very lovely work. This edition also includes four German verses at the end of the score. While English translations and piano reductions are not included, this publication featuring two highquality works is very worthy of consideration.
Don P. Ester
Quelle: Choral Journal Feb. 1995, S. 56