A LECTURE-CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 248, 14 July 1921, Page 6

A LECTURE-CONCERT

MENDELSSOHN AND HIS WORKS. The name of Felix Afendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847), known to lovers of music and the world generally as “Mendelssohn.” will go down to posterity as that of one of the greatest of musicians. His works have been played all over the civilised world, and are recognised by all as masterpieces. It was tliis composer that Air. Robert Parker spoke of at the Art Galleiy lq s t evening, before a large audience, which included several well-known musicians. In tire coutve of an interesting lecture—tho fourth of a series—Mr. Parker gave a resume of Mendelssohn's life. 'J he composer, he said, was born in Germany, tho son of Jewish parents, in 1809.* He had a remarkable boyhood, and showed tho signs of his wondeiful talent nt an cz.rly age. When quite u young man Alendelssohn had composed many striking works, and 1 his career was assured. Air. Parker quoted extracts from various biographies concerning tho composer. He spoke of Mendelssohn s visit to Rome, and the excellent literary 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 the visits to England, and the high favour which Afendelssohn received' at the hands of Queen Victoria nnd the Prince Consort (Prince Albert). On one oo-cas-ion tire 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 ho had been at the house of friends of every-day life. In England he mode scores of worshippers, and it was said that after the playing of a concerto, by himself, the audience eimply rose In their seats and cheered. He himself used to ho excited during the playing of the piece, and used to go tor long walks after Ills task was finished' After 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 met his beautiful wife, to whom he was deeply attached. Hr. Parker told of the famous occasion when tho Bach Triple Concerto” was played by Chopin, Liszt, and Mendelssohn. “I knew an o.d man who hoard it,” said Air. i alk ® r ; “And every time he usou to tell me his face would light up with excitement.” In Germany Mendelssoim at lust settled in Leipzig, where he condhicted the famous ' Gewandhausr concerts There he met such people as Liszt. Chopin, Berlioz. Benirett, Sir Arthur Sullivan, and Clara Novello. Mr Parker spoke of the wonderful of Mendelsohn’s works referring to the overtures Hebrides ("Finpil’s Cave”). "Buy Blas, Me uAhre” and "The Midsummer Nights Dreim.” Tho great violin concerto was rlaved first at Leipzig by the teacher, Ferdinand David. Mr. Parker recounted the visits of the composer to tho poet. Goethe, io Hiller; to the oomiresition of the oratorios, St. Paul, which was sung several years ago m Wolltorton during the visn of M atkin Mi”s the lecturer conducting, to "Elijah,” and t‘‘° "Hymn of Praise." "There never was such a success, ho ‘"fmring the evening a Alendelssohn programme was presented by Alissas Ava. Symonfi W:: Hum Min and Ethelwvn Kirk (pianists), Matkins and Eileen Driscoll (vocahsto). and Mi. C. A. Williams (vocalist). Miss Syinons ai d Miss Williamson played tire nl'st movement of tho violin concerto in B minor (op. G 4), in a capable manner, and "Variations in D Minor" .Seneuses, op. 54) was excellently played by Miss Kirk. Tho other Homs were good.