Episode 45: Mostly Mendelssohn

This episode features some of the great works by the “Renaissance Man of the Romantic Generation,” Felix Mendelssohn, including the shimmering Octet, a brooding String Quartet, and a pair of piano trios by both Felix and his sister Fanny Mendelssohn.

This Episode’s Playlist

Felix Mendelssohn: Song Without Words, Op. 109
Juan-Salvador Carrasco, cello | Lynne Mackey, piano
South Market Stage, Grace Christian School, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 04.22.2022

Mendelssohn: Octet for Strings in E-flat, Op. 20
I. Allegro Moderato ma con fuoco
Strauss Shi, violin | Becca Kasdan, violin | Daniel Kim, violin | Carmen Johnson-Pajaro, violin | Ian Niederhoffer, viola | Peter Cho, viola | Allegra Whiting, cello | Ayoun (Alex) Kim, cello
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.26.2015

Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44 No.1
I. Molto Allegro Vivace [excerpt]
Rachell Wong, violin | Shuxiang Yang, violin | Stephanie Block, viola | Ben Fried, cello
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.20.2016

Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80
I. Allegro Molto
Kenneth Naito, violin | Ria Honda, violin | Matt Cohen, viola | Dominic Lee, cello
Abramson Family Recital Hall, Katzen Arts Center,
American University, Washington, DC
Heifetz Institute Recording | 05.05.2019

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel: Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11
III. Lied. Allegretto
Yezu Woo, violin | Noémie Raymond-Friset, cello | Michel-Alexandre Broekaert, piano
South Market Stage, Grace Christian School, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.25.2022

Felix Mendelssohn: Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 49
IV. Finale. Allegro assai appassionato
Ria Honda, violin | Dominic Lee, cello | Zhenni Li-Cohen, piano
Abramson Family Recital Hall, Katzen Arts Center,
American University, Washington, DC
Heifetz Institute Recording | 05.05.2019

Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 4 in E minor, Op. 44, No. 2
II. Scherzo [excerpt]
Phoenix Quartet: Ilkhom Mukhiddinov, violin | Hyun Ji Lee, violin | Arielle Fentress, viola | Elliott Kim, cello
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.06.2023

Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
II. Andante
III. Allegretto non troppo – Allegro molto vivace
Ji-Won Song, violin | Hui-Chaun Chen, piano
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.19.2015

Go Deeper

• Leave it to the folks at Classic FM to share with us 15 Facts about Felix Mendelssohn,  including his  praise from Queen Victoria: “The most amiable man. He was quite worshipped by those who knew him intimately, & we have so much appreciated & admired his wonderfully beautiful compositions.”
• Heifetz alum Ian Niederhoffer, who you hear introducing and performing the Mendelssohn Octet in this episode, now directs his own chamber orchestra in New York called Parlando. Their next concert features fellow Heifetz alum, violinist Geneva Lewis.
• This episode is devoted to music both by Felix and his sister Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, whose talents as a composer in her own right are receiving long-overdue recognition.