Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1909-02-03
ONE HUNDRED YEARsAGO
Today Felix MISUNDERSTANDING,
the Great Musician, Was Born.
Centenary Observed.
SneciaI to the Herald.

Special to the Herald.
Berlin, Feb 3.-The one hundredth
anniversary of Mendelssohn's birth
was celebrated today by music lovers
and others throughout the civilized
world The musical organizations in
nearly every city in Germany had ar
ranged more or less elaborate celebra-
lions in honor of the composer of "A
Midsummer Nights Dream" and of
the Songs Without Words" Here
and in several other large music cen
tiers the celebrations were on a rather
pretentious scale and assumed a pop
ular character, seldom equaled by the
anniversary of composers, birthday.
Practically all the prominent musical
socities and educational institutions,
including the University of Berlin.
& Mendelssohn's alma mater, Joined in
the effort to honor the memory of the
composer.
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartho was
born on February 8, 1909, the son of
wealthy and highly educated bank
er No more appropriate name could
have been given to him than Felix,
which means lucky, happy or fortu-
nate. He was born in the lap of
wealth and throughout his life had
everything that even a spoiled favor
tie of fortune could wish. Wealth, a
happy and refined home, first with
his parents, later in his own domestic
circles respected position in society
and the fullest recognition and admit
ration of his genius by his contempor
raries--all were his.
Felix Mendelssohn was the second
of four children. All were talented
and it is said that his elder sister.
Fanny Meldelssohn, was even more
talented musician than he His must.
cal talent became apparent in his
early youth. When he had reached
his eleventh year he had composed
fifty or sixty more or less meritorious
compositions and it was decided that
he should be allowed to follow his in
clination and devote himself to a mu
steal career. AT the age of fifteen he |
had completed his fourth opera, which |
the critics praised as highly original
and individual. At the same time his |
general education was not neglected |
and Felix in due time entered the Uni |
versity of Berlin, where he distin- |
guished himself by his brilliant lit
erary attachments. 1t was generally |
admitted that Mendelssohn, had hei
chosen literature for his vocation, in
stead of music, would have become I
quite as famous as a writer as he did
become as a composer.
In 1843, Mendelssohn, together with |
Schumann, David, the violinist, and
Becker, the organist, founded the |
great Leipsic Conservatory. which in
the course of time became the most
influential and prominent musical
school in Germany As a composer
Mendelssohn ranks with the greatest
creators of music of the nineteenth
century As pianist he was brilliant,
refined and poetical in his interpreta
ton AS an organist, Mendelssohn
gave a new impetus to church music
particularly in England, a country |
which he visited ten times and where
he was always received with admir-
ing enthusiasm. Literature is indebt
ed to him for two volumes of the most
exquisitely written and charming LETT
tiers and a translation into German
verse of the "Anria' of the Latin poe.
Terence. Even the graphic art was
not neglected by that versatile genius
of his. During his sojourn in Switzer
land, Mendelssohn painted number
of water colors which, in the opinion
of competent critics showed remark.
able talent.