Mendelssohn: String Quartet in E Flat Major Op. 12

Tracy Engman Finkelshteyn, Violin

John Helmich, Violin

Rebecca Vieker, Viola

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was born in Hamburg, Germany. He was a romantic composer, but a conservative one at that, often utilizing a great deal of classical era techniques in his composition. Although his compositions were relatively conservative, he was drawn towards romantic literature, like many composers of the time. Born to a Jewish family, who were later baptized into the Lutheran church, he grew up a child of the middle-class. Mendelssohn was a true child-prodigy and arguably more gifted than Mozart at an earlier age. He took piano lessons from his mother at age six and was soon after tutored by Marie Bigot in Paris. By the time he was nine he had written five operas, eleven symphonies, and made his first public appearance in Berlin. At age twelve, he was taken to meet J. W. von Goethe, a widely regarded German writer, and the two developed a close friendship. It was around this time that Mendelssohn began composing. When he was seventeen, he wrote one of his most famous pieces, Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream (1826). His conducting career took off in 1829 after he traveled to England to conduct his Symphony No. 1 in C Minor. Between 1830-1832, he traveled to Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, then returning to London. His main reputation was made in England, as he visited the country around ten times, becoming the favorite composer of Queen Victoria.

String Quartet No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 12 was started in Berlin, but completed in London, during Mendelssohn’s first trip to England. The first movement, Adagio non troppo – Allegro non tardante, has an expressive introduction that leads into an almost mournful main subject. The transition into the Allegro section which maintains a rich sense of melody throughout its sonata form. The following movement, Canzonetta Allegretto, is light and implements dance characteristics at a moderately quick tempo. The third movement, Andante espressivo, is lyrical and at a slower tempo. Finally, the fourth movement, Molto allegro e vivace, is fast and lively, tying the whole work together masterfully. This quartet is an example of Mendelssohn’s polished artistry.