The state herald., 1909-02-05

book Of his Songs Without Words
In that city to the end he had an en-
thusiastic army of admirers, loved and
was beloved by the English public.
In all he made ten visits to England. A
short time before his death he journeyed
to London to conduct series OF
philharmonic concerts.
or his work as conductor there
stand forth most prominently his dis.
tinguished services while director OF
the Gewandhaus, Leipzig. In this city
OF Saxony he was very much at home,
very happy, his work much appre-
ciated-as 1t was not always In his
home city Of Berlin. In 1886 the Uni
versity OF Leipzig created him doctor
of philosophy. From 1895 to 1sil he
resided In Leipzig; the latter year
yielded TO the solicitations OF the king
of Prussia to return to Berlin. Ofcial
and court interference attended his ef.
forts in Berlin, and he finally asked
for liberty to withdraw. and found his
way again to Leipzig. For n brief sea.
son he served as musical director at
Dusseldorf conducted at the Lower
Rhine festivals; in England perform.
ances OF his oratorio Elijah" were
given under his direction.
Mendelssohn's compositions from
the first were marked by finish and
neatness. He corrected and revised
with utmost fas,idiousness. or the
mass of work left behind by him only
the briefest mention can be given.
The Midsummer Nights Dream" the
overture work OF his youth. stands as
one OF his best productions. His ora.
torios, Elijah" and st. Paul" are
ranked as the most notable OF his
works. Other notable vocal works
with orchestra are the symphony.can.
tata, ''Lobgesang." the "Gutenburg
Cantata," the ballade Die Erst Wal.
purglsnacht." music TO the choruses
Antigonc." "Athalie" and "Aedipus In
Colonos." lie was author OF much i'm.
portant church music In addition
to that mentioned: his orchestral
works include four symphonies and
several concert oyertures. the cham.
ber music includes seven string-quar-
tets, n sonata for violin and piano, an
octet for strings. and various other
works. lie wrote for the organ three
preludes and fugues, six sonatas. pre-,
ludes In c minor. the piano compost.
tions are numerous and distinguished.
Flucncy. grace and elegance are con.
sidcrcd the chief technical character.
istics OF his music.
Mcndclssohn was deeply Interested
In the establishing OF n school OF
music In Leipzig. and In ist3 saw this
cherished wish fulfilled. this the date
of the opening Of the Leipzig conscrya.
tory. He lnborcd unrcmit,ingly for
the success OF the school. brought TO
I, not only his prestige. but practical
business ability Of much value.
MondclnAohn married at the are OF
ss. In his marriage good fortune still
faithful. young cecilc Jeanrcnaud o,
Frankfort. M aminblc and interesting
as she was beautiful. His domestic
life was idyllic. center OF all ceciic. Ms
Ia shown In the letters. Five children
were born To the pair.
overwork and sudden shocks are
thought 10 have been the cause Of
his death. The unexpected loss OF his
father was n great blow. his mothers
end occurred In the same way. sud.
denly; and last came word that his
sister Fanny. close friend and counsel.
or. had been stricken while conducting
a rehearsal OF her little choir. Felix
never recovered from the shock Of
Fnnny's death, u few months later
death coming 10 him, lie was laid To
rest In the Alto Dreifaitigkeits kirchos
In Berlin. his resting place marked by
4 cross.
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