Mendelssohn und Beethoven
Mendelssohn and Beethoven

Summary/Abstract: The study rebuilds one of the manifold conceivable Beethoven’s images, namely that reflected by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. In a time when the construction of the Beethovenian myth was in full swing, Mendelssohn’s point of view seems to be a nuanced one, distinct from those expressed by some other romantic composers like Liszt, Schumann, Wagner. (It is known that their influence on the general opinion was considerable). The main source documents for the study are represented by the Mendelssohn’s mail. Mostly in the letters between November 1816 and June 1830, Beethoven is mentioned more frequent than Bach or Mozart, for instance. Persuasive quotations from letters illustrate Mendelssohn’s discourse about Beethoven, sounding generally „full of deference and enthusiasm, but devoid of religious devoutness”. Sometimes, Mendelssohn formulates even some critical remarks. His letters highlight also the relationship between Mendelssohn and Beethoven’s music, at least as regarding Mendelssohn’s contribution to the promotion of the Beethovenian works into the concert life and also Beethoven’s influence about Mendelssohn’s own creation.

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