| Piano
Concerto #1 in G Minor, Op. 25
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847) was one of the most conservative voices of the Romantic era. In the 1830's and 1840's other composers were exploring more and more passionate music, while he greatly preferred the restraint and poise of the the classical style. Harold Schonberg says "He distrusted exuberance, enjoyed a quiet family life ... worked constantly [and] differed from the other wealthy bourgeoisie only in that he happened to be a genius." Like Mozart, Mendelssohn was extremely gifted as a child, and also like his great predecessor, Mendelssohn died in his mid thirties. In contrast to Mozart's situation, Mendelssohn was protected from public display during his childhood by his family. He was given the best education possible, and the diligent boy excelled in Latin, Greek, natural science, contemporary literature and drawing. By his mid teens he was accomplishing great things, and his Midsummer Night's Dream, written when he was seventeen, is one of the unquestioned masterpieces of all time. Mendelssohn wrote three concertos for solo piano, and another two for two pianos. This Concerto was written in 1831 while he was making his "grand tour" of Europe (The same trip that provided the inspiration for his Scottish Symphony and Fingal's Cave Overture.) Mendelssohn conceived of the work in his head as he traveled. When he arrived in Munich he finally had a chance to begin writing the music down, and the task was finished within three days! Barely two weeks later he was the pianist for the premiere performance. |
| Program Notes - March 3, 2001 | By Composer In Residence Bruce Brown |