The Mendelssohn Companion - by Douglass Seaton (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Mendelssohn Companion represents a collection of advanced scholarly research in Mendelssohn studies that examines the composer's life and music. In recent decades, studies of his music manuscripts have discovered much previously overlooked work, and a reconsideration of his biography has permitted a more realistic portrayal of Mendelssohn. The first three chapters of this volume place the composer in his intellectual context and discuss his family and social circle and his professional activities. Later chapters examine the major areas of his compositional work, providing new analytical observations, contextual perspectives, and interpretations. Historical views and documents are included with each chapter and are all newly translated.

The new material in this fully documented study will appeal to scholars, students, and music enthusiasts alike. An updated bibliographic list of Mendelssohn's works, which identifies the autograph manuscripts and the most important published editions will be of special interest.

Book Synopsis

The Mendelssohn Companion represents a collection of advanced scholarly research in Mendelssohn studies that examines the composer's life and music. In recent decades, studies of his music manuscripts have discovered much previously overlooked work, and a reconsideration of his biography has permitted a more realistic portrayal of Mendelssohn. The first three chapters of this volume place the composer in his intellectual context and discuss his family and social circle and his professional activities. Later chapters examine the major areas of his compositional work, providing new analytical observations, contextual perspectives, and interpretations. Historical views and documents are included with each chapter and are all newly translated.

The new material in this fully documented study will appeal to scholars, students, and music enthusiasts alike. An updated bibliographic list of Mendelssohn's works, which identifies the autograph manuscripts and the most important published editions will be of special interest.

Review Quotes

.,."excellent collection....A must for undergraduate and graduate libraries, yet general readers will find much that can be read with pleasure."-Choice

?...excellent collection....A must for undergraduate and graduate libraries, yet general readers will find much that can be read with pleasure.?-Choice

?The Mendelssohn Companion represents a milestone in Mendelssohn scholarship. The quality and breadth of these studies lay the foundation for a new phase of Mendelssohn scholarship. The correction of false assumptions about music of the early nineteenth century and misrepresentations of Mendelssohn's life and music, as well as the establishment of a historically accurate context, frees today's Mendelssohn scholar to focus more exclusively on the actual life and music of the composer.?-Notes

..."excellent collection....A must for undergraduate and graduate libraries, yet general readers will find much that can be read with pleasure."-Choice

"The Mendelssohn Companion represents a milestone in Mendelssohn scholarship. The quality and breadth of these studies lay the foundation for a new phase of Mendelssohn scholarship. The correction of false assumptions about music of the early nineteenth century and misrepresentations of Mendelssohn's life and music, as well as the establishment of a historically accurate context, frees today's Mendelssohn scholar to focus more exclusively on the actual life and music of the composer."-Notes

About the Author

DOUGLASS SEATON is Professor of Music History and Musicology at The Florida State University./e