著者

作野 理恵

出版者

プール学院大学

雑誌

プール学院大学研究紀要 (ISSN:13426028)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.51, pp.55-70, 2011-12

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Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) is a composer from the beginning of the 19th century, the romantic period in western music history. Although Mendelssohn composed more than 720 works and definitely left a mark on music history, his works have not been evaluated very highly by music critics. His works are not generally well known and are not performed all that often. Mendelssohn was born into a very wealthy family, which was unusual when compared to other composers. Because of his good fortune and comfortable life is it possible that music critics have undervalued his works? Is it true that Mendelssohn's life was without worry?Through the course of research into Mendelssohn's background and musical worksit became obvious that his works have been misrepresented and misunderstood. After Mendelssohn's death, the great composer Richard Wagner(1813-1883)slandered Mendelssohn and his works in a music magazine. The reason was because Mendelssohn was Jewish. Unfortunately, these harsh criticisms of Mendelssohn's works then became the prevailing thought of his works in Europe. In fact, during the rise of the Nazis from 1933 to 1945, theplaying and publishing of Mendelssohn's works was prohibited in parts of Europe. As a result, because of the fate of history, Mendelssohn's music was judged inferior for long periods of time. In fact, Mendelssohn's compositions, which were products of his high level of sophisticationand pious faith, can be seen as profound, impressive and, instead of conservative, rather progressive.