1. Chapter 54 Leipzig and the Gewandhaus: Felix Mendelssohn and the Schumanns

2. Lecture Overview The German-speaking world 1814-71 Felix Mendelssohn: –life and music –Trio in D minor, Op. 49, movement 1 Robert Schumann: –life and music –Symphony No. 1, movement 2 (Larghetto) Women and music in the 19th century Clara Wieck Schumann: –life and music –song “Liebst du um Schönheit” Review

3. The German World After 1815 After the fall of Napoleon in 1814, a hodge-podge of thirty-nine German states emerged, and these were loosely allied into a German Confederation. The two most powerful lands were Prussia to the northeast and the sprawling Austrian Empire to the southeast. Wedged between them was the small Kingdom of Saxony, with its capital in Dresden and its intellectual center in Leipzig. Throughout the 19th century, Saxony was fertile soil for the raising of great composers.

4. The Life of Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) 1809 Mendelssohn born in Hamburg to a wealthy banking family; grows up in Berlin 1816 converts to Christianity and takes the additional name Bartholdy 1829 conducts parts of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in Berlin, beginning the “Bach Revival” 1833 conductor of the orchestra in Düsseldorf 1835-47 conductor of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig 1842 active in musical life of Berlin, at the invitation of the King of Prussia 1843 helps to found and direct the Leipzig Conservatory 1847 dies in Leipzig, only months after the death of his sister Fanny

5. Principal Compositions by Felix Mendelssohn Orchestra: 12 early string symphonies, 5 numbered symphonies; concertos (2 for piano, 1 for violin) Piano: character pieces (including “Songs Without Words”), sonatas, variations, organ music Chamber music: string quartets, trios, quintets, sextets, octet; instrumental sonatas Chorus: oratorios (St. Paul, Elijah), cantatas, music for the church Songs: over 100

6. Felix Mendelssohn, Trio in D Minor, Op. 49, 1839, movement 1 Sonata form

7. The Life of Robert Schumann (1810–1856) 1810 born in the Saxon village of Zwickau, son of a book dealer 1828 briefly studies law at the University in Leipzig and in Heidelberg 1830 returns to Leipzig to study piano with Friedrich Wieck 1833 founds the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik 1840 marries Clara Wieck after a stormy courtship 1844 moves to Dresden, later to Düsseldorf 1854 confined to mental institution in Endenich (near Bonn) 1856 dies in Endenich

8. The Principal Compositions of Robert Schumann Orchestra: symphonies (4); concertos (piano, cello, violin); concert overtures Chamber music: string quartets (3), piano trios, music with piano; instrumental sonatas Piano: cycles of character pieces including –Carnival –Papillons –Fantasiestücke –Kinderscenen Songs: include the cycles –Dichterliebe –Frauenliebe- und leben –Myrthen

9. Robert Schumann, Symphony No. 1 in Bb Major (“Spring”), 1841, movement 2 (Larghetto) Rondo form

10. The Principal Compositions of Clara Schumann Orchestra: Piano Concerto in A Minor Chamber music: Piano Trio in G minor Piano: character pieces, variations Songs: about 25

11. Clara Schumann, “Liebst du um Schönheit,” 1841. Text by Friedrich Rückert Varied strophic form

12. Review Key Terms Hugo Riemann functional harmony complete works (type of musical edition) Gewandhaus Orchestra Bartholdy Bach Revival canon Neue Zeitschrift für Musik Carnaval