Felix Mendelssohn – St. Paul

This chapter begins with a discussion of Mendelssohn’s development as a composer, his involvement with the works of J. S. Bach and Handel, and the genesis of St. Paul. Following is material related to the libretto, Mendelssohn’s process of revision, the various premieres of the oratorio, its reception by critics and the public, and Mendelssohn’s interest in past historical styles of music. Musical discussion is focused on the structures of arias, choruses, and chorales, and performance practice issues include Mendelssohn’s views on the subject, as well as performance of St. Paul in German or English, arrangement of singers and instrumentalists on stage, and the treatment of fermatas and recitative.