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Nation and Culture in Mendelssohn's Revival of the St Matthew Passion

Rod Ward

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Bach in Berlin: Nation and Culture in Mendelssohn's Revival of the "St. Matthew Passion"

by Celia Applegate

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2178 KB
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Print length	:	303 pages

Felix Mendelssohn's revival of Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion in 1829 was a pivotal moment in the history of music. It sparked a renewed interest in Bach's music and helped to establish him as one of the greatest composers of all time. But it was also a significant cultural event, reflecting the changing attitudes towards religion, nationhood, and cultural identity in 19th-century Germany.

This book explores the significance of Mendelssohn's revival of the St Matthew Passion in the context of German nation-building and cultural identity formation. It draws on a wide range of sources, including historical documents, musical analysis, and cultural theory, to provide a comprehensive account of this important event.

Chapter 1: The Historical Context

The first chapter sets the scene for Mendelssohn's revival of the St Matthew Passion by examining the historical context in which it took place. It discusses the rise of nationalism in Germany, the changing attitudes towards religion, and the development of a new German cultural identity.

Chapter 2: The Musical Context

The second chapter analyzes the musical aspects of Mendelssohn's revival of the St Matthew Passion. It examines his performance practices, his editorial changes to the score, and his overall interpretation of the work. This chapter argues that Mendelssohn's revival of the St Matthew Passion was a significant musical event that had a profound impact on the way that Bach's music was performed and understood.

Chapter 3: The Cultural Context

The third chapter examines the cultural context of Mendelssohn's revival of the St Matthew Passion. It discusses the role of music in German nation-building, the relationship between music and religion, and the development of a new German cultural identity. This chapter argues that Mendelssohn's revival of the St Matthew Passion was a cultural event that helped to define the German nation.

This book concludes by summarizing the main arguments and discussing the implications of Mendelssohn's revival of the St Matthew Passion for our understanding of music, religion, and nationhood in the 19th century. It argues that Mendelssohn's revival of the St Matthew Passion was a significant event that had a profound impact on German culture and identity.

Bibliography

This book includes an extensive bibliography of sources used in the research. This bibliography is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about Mendelssohn's revival of the St Matthew Passion and its significance in German culture.

About the Author

The author of this book is a musicologist who specializes in the music of the Romantic era. He has written extensively on Mendelssohn and his music. He is also a regular contributor to music journals and has given lectures on Mendelssohn's music at universities and conservatories around the world.

Bach in Berlin: Nation and Culture in Mendelssohn's Revival of the "St. Matthew Passion"

by Celia Applegate

5 out of 5