The state herald., 1909-02-05


.<6AA onehundredth anniversary
XAN of the birth of Felix Men.
MY delssohn, the famous Ger
man composer. conductor
pianist and organist. He
was born February 3. 1909,
At Hamburg. North Germany; died at
Leipzig, Saxony, November 1. lS47.
He was son OF banker. grandson
of celebrated Jewish scholar and re-
former. In mature life the father
was influenced to renounce the Jewish
faith and add Bartholdy to the family
name to distinguish his branch from
the orthodox members OF the family.
Father and mother. the latter also of
the Jewish race, adopted the Chris.
tian religion. the children were bap-
tized and brought up as Christians.
The life OF the Mendelssohn family
was very interesting and beautiful,
the children unusually gifted. In the
home an art atmosphere making for
full development OF the individual
gifts. Felix received his first piano
instruction from his mother, from his
earliest days both parents were de.
voted to the fostering. OF his genius.
The story OF Mendelssohn's life is not
the record OF bitter poverty and Hercu.
lean efforts In overcoming obstacles;
he stands out a genius accustomed all
his days to wealth and refinement.
The Mendelssohn family moved to
Berlin when Felix was scarcely three
years old. and in this city his chill.
hood and youth were passed. The
parents we're strict disciplinarians;
the children kept hard at work at
their music; rising Mt Ave In the
morning TO begin their tasks. During
visit TO Paris Felix studied under
Mime. Bigot: in Berlin was under the
instruction OF Carl Zelter and bene-
hted for season by work with
Moscheles Al the age OF nine he
made his frst public appearance. the
youthful pianist winning favor In his
eleventh year Felix entered the Slnga.
kademie; the following year he began
systematically to compose. To this
period belong trio for piano and
strings. sonata for plano and violin.
sonata for plano. pieces for the or.
gan. songs, n comedy and n cantata.
II was the custom In the Men.
delssohn family to hold musical per.
formances nj their home every other
Sunday, n small orchestra assisting.
and these musicals were of the great.
est value TO the young musician. He
enjoyed the opportunity OF having his
works presented, and he always con.
Quoted.
For the Sunday musicals Felix con.
Rtantly wrote new works; at the nge
OF II produced the delightful Mid.
summer Nights Dream Overtime
conceived by Il genius and executed
by master" His onc opera was
brought out publicly the year follow.
lux the overture. and though given n
favorable reception on Its prescnta.
tion At the Berlin opera house, the
piece was shortly withdrawn. The
year 1899 IL marked by nm i'm.
portani event. the performance
under Mcndclssohn's direction Of
Bach's "st. Matthews Passion"
which orcn,cd n great sensation and
led TO the great Bach revival. Sue.
ceeding this event. an invitation to
visit London was accepted. Men.
dclrsohn made his Hrst public appear.
ancc In England u, a philharmonic con.
cert the concert opening with his G
minor symphony. tho author himself
conducting the presentation OF his
work. The newcomer was most en-.
Enthusiastically received. and II was
from England Mendelssohn's fame as
composer spread abroad.
In London he published the nrs'