The Life of Mendelssohn (Musical Lives) [Paperback]

Peter Mercer-Taylor (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521639727 | ISBN-13: 978-0521639729 | Publication Date: November 6, 2000

This biography of composer and pianist Felix Mendelssohn traces his development from musical child prodigy to a conductor whose influence as an advocate of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven is still felt to this day. A great deal of attention is paid to Mendelssohn's early nineteenth-century cultural surroundings and the book includes interpretation and discussion of major works, without use of musical examples or technical language, placing them within the context of his personal and public life. This is the first new biography of Mendelssohn to appear in some seventeen years.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fine volume in Cambridge's highly regarded "Musical Lives" series, this biography...concisely, charmingly, and intelligently presents the composer and his music...Recommended as a core collection item for public and academic libraries." Library Journal

"...elegantly presented and visually appealing. Mercer-Taylor writes clearly and engagingly." Journal of Musicological Research

Book Description

This biography of composer and pianist Felix Mendelssohn traces his development from musical child prodigy to a conductor whose influence as an advocate of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven is still felt to this day. A great deal of attention is paid to Mendelssohn's early nineteenth-century cultural surroundings and the book includes interpretation and discussion of major works, without use of musical examples or technical language, placing them within the context of his personal and public life. This is the first new biography of Mendelssohn to appear in some seventeen years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (November 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521639727
• ISBN-13: 978-0521639729
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,771,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fluent, clear guide to a much-maligned composer, March 8, 2004

By 

R. J. Stove (Gardenvale, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Life of Mendelssohn (Musical Lives) (Paperback)

Previously unfamiliar to me, Peter Mercer-Taylor is a fluent narrator (though he does not always write as well as he can, and at times lapses into Madison Avenue vulgarity). For all who esteem this much-maligned composer, Mercer-Taylor will prove an exceptionally clear guide to the surprisingly large amount of Mendelssohn's output which we almost never hear. I recently gave this book as a wedding present to a bride much enamoured of Mendelssohn's achievement; she seems to have found Mercer-Taylor thoroughly readable and satisfying.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tracing of Significant Composer, April 30, 2003

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: The Life of Mendelssohn (Musical Lives) (Paperback)

Mendelssohn is traced through his life as to influences, both spiritually, musically and elsewhere.

Raised in upper class surroundings, he and sister Fanny were certainly cultivated in rich musical and literary heritage. So no surprise that Mendelssohn honored his musical heritiage and was fond of Bach especially.

Climb to fame capsulated well in this biographical look with specific references given at appropriate times on musical and theological insights. This all culminates late in his life with tension over all his duties both musically and family and they take their toil.

Never happy living in Germany, persistently traveling which also for sure took its toll. Creative output continues to reverberate throughtout concert halls.

Truly a tightly written account of significant musical contributor.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Extremely Enjoyable Experience, April 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Life of Mendelssohn (Musical Lives) (Paperback)

With a smooth and easy-to-read style that is brimming with factual details and emotive feelings, Mr. Mercer-Taylor's writing provides a concise and highly articulate story of Felix Mendelssohn's life. Mendelssohn's many significant contributions as a composer, musician, conductor, teacher and adminstrator are presented in an interesting collage of personalities and historical events of the times. In particular, the author's description of Mendelssohn's music captures its essence perfectly. An extremely enjoyable reading experience.