Triumphant Elijah

Donald Macleod sees Mendelssohn working towards his last great choral work.

Felix Mendelssohn was one of the most gifted and versatile musicians the world has ever seen. As a child prodigy he was likened to Mozart and he grew to become one of the most famous and beloved composers in Europe, during the middle of the 19th century. His life was cut tragically short, at the age of 38, while he was at the very height of his powers. This week, Donald Macleod focuses on the final five years of Mendelssohn’s life, and follows the composer through his extremely hectic work schedule which undoubtedly contributed to his early demise.

1846 was the year of one of Mendelssohn’s greatest successes. His oratorio, Elijah, was premiered in Birmingham and sealed his reputation as Britain’s favourite composer. We also find him further pursuing his friendship with soprano, Jenny Lind.

Lied ohne Worte in D minor (Reiterlied)
Péter Nagy, piano

Rondo Brilliant in E flat, Op 29
Ronald Brautigam, piano
Die Kölner Akademie
Michael Alexander Willens, conductor

Lauda Sion, Op 73
Evelyn Brunner, soprano
Naoko Ihara, contralto
Alejandro Ramirez, tenor
Philippe Huttenlocher, bass-baritone
Gulbenkian Orchestra
Gulbenkian, Choir
Michel Corboz, conductor

Elijah, Op 70 (excerpt)
Rosemary Joshua, soprano
Jonty Ward, treble
Sarah Connolly, mezzo-soprano
Robert Murray, tenor
Simon Keenlyside, baritone
Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir
Gabrieli Young Singers’ Scheme
Gabrieli Consort and Players
Paul McCreesh, director

Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales