A LECTURE-CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 247, 13 July 1921, Page 6

A LECTURE-CONCERT

MENDELSSOHN AND HIS WORKS. The name of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847), known to lovers of music and the world generally as “Mendelssohn,” will go down to posterity as that of one of tho greatest of musicians. His works have been, played all over tho civilised world, and are recognised by all as masterpieces. It was this composer that Mr. Robert Parker spoke of at the Art Gallery last evening, before <a large audience, which included several well-known musicians. In the couive of an interesting lecture—tho fourth of a series—Mr. Parker gave a resume of Mendelssohn’s life. The composer, he said, was born in Germany, tho son of Jewish parents, in 1809. He had a remarkable boyhood, end showed tho signs of his wonderful talent nt an oerly age. When quite u young man Mendelssohn had composed many striking works, and 1 his career was assured. Mr. Parker quoted extracts from various biographies concerning the composer. He spoke of Mendelssohns visit to Rome, and the excellent literarv touch displayed in letters to his people in Germany. After dealing with the composer’s visits to Italy—to his beloved Naples—Mr. Parker told of tho visits to England, and the high favour which Mendelssohn received at the hands of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort (Prince Albert). On one occasion the famous musician was received into the very heart of the Royal Family, who played and sang for him, and made him play for them as if he had been at the house of friends of every-day life. In England he made scores of worshippers, and it was said that after the playing of a concerto, by himself, the audience simply rose in their seats and cheered. He himself used to be excited during the playing j of tho piece, and used to go for long walks after his task was finishedAfter the tour of England came the return, triumphant, to Germany, where the various music “festivals” clamoured for his music and his services as conductor. At Frankfort he mot his beautiful wife, to whom he was deeply , attached. Mr. Parker told of tho famous occasion when tho Bach tuple Concerto” was played by Chopin, Liszt, and Mendelssohn. “[ knew nil o.d man who hom'd it,' said Mr. Parker. ■ “And every time he usorl to tell mo his face would light up with excitement.” In Germany Mendelssohn nt last settled in Leipzig, where he conducted. the .famous "Gewandhausf ■ concerts. There lie met such people as Liszt. Chopin. Berlioz. Bennett, Sir Arthur Sullivan, and Clara Novell©. Mr. Parker spoke of the wonderful uniqueness of Mendelssohn’? works, referring to the overtures “Hebrides” ("Fingal’s Cave”). “Buy Blas,” “Melusine," and “The Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The great violin •••oncerto was played first at Leipzig by the teacher, Ferdinand David. Mr. Parker recounted the visits of the composer to tho poet Goethe, to Hiller; to tho composition of the oratorios, “St. Paul,” which was sung several years ago in Wellington during the visit of Matkin Mills, the lecturer conducting, to “Elijah,” and tho "Hymn of Praise.” “There never was such a success,” ho •add tri. During the evening n Mendelssohn program me was piwntcd by Misses Ava. Symons (violinistfl, Williamson and Ethelwyn Kirk (pianists), Watkins and Eileen Driscoll (vocalists), and Mr. C. A. Williams (vocalist). Miss Symons and Miss Williamson played the first movement of the violin concerto in E minor (op. 64), in a capable manner, and "Variations in D Minor" (Serieuses, op. 54) was excellently played by Miss Kirk. The other items were good.