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.