IMSLP Mendelssohn: Musical Works and Life Lessons from the Legend

When it comes to learning from legendary composers like Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, famous as Felix Mendelssohn, we only learn from their created masterpieces. These famous musical works are kept in the IMSLP Mendelssohn virtual library of music. To us, Mendelssohn is a famous German composer, and we remember him only for his musical works. However, this great composer has also left so much for us to learn from his life, which is key to success in every walk of life.

When it comes to learning from legendary composers like Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, famous as Felix Mendelssohn, we only learn from their created masterpieces. These famous musical works are kept in the IMSLP Mendelssohn virtual library of music. To us, Mendelssohn is a famous German composer, and we remember him only for his musical works. However, this great composer has also left so much for us to learn from his life, which is key to success in every walk of life. 
Now, you must wonder what one can learn from the life and struggle of Mendelssohn. To know such life lessons, read this blog. Aside from that, we will also tell you about his three masterpieces that are timeless as well as inspiring to music enthusiasts of every era.  

Life Lessons to Learn from Felix Mendelssohn 

Although a composer, the lessons from his life will help you attain success in any field. So, if you want to be successful in anything as Mendelssohn was in his area, attain the following personal qualities he had: 

Persistence for Betterment: 

Legends like Mendelssohn and Mozart came to realize their passion and talent for music when they were very small. In fact, Mendelssohn started learning the piano when only 6. His wealthy parents ensured that Mendelssohn and his sister, Fanny, were provided with the best tutors to nourish their musical talent. 

Although his parents were aware that he was a prodigy, they were very careful in motivating him to pursue a musical career unless they came to notice his own self-discipline and motivation.

 
When Mendelssohn reached his teenage years, he became a prolific composer. Even though he came to realize his talent, he never stopped practicing for the betterment. In fact, he kept writing music and studying the musical compositions created by his favorite, Johann Sebastian Bach, to improve his musical talent. 
Bach is famous for creating church music. That’s why when it comes to church sheet music, most buffs remember Johann Sebastian Bach.  

Being out of Comfort Zone for Exploration: 

Besides being an excellent musician and composer, Felix Mendelssohn was a good watercolor painter. He used to speak four languages: German, English, French, and Italian. Not only that, he knew Latin, translating Roman plays into German. 

The German composer read widely about history so that he could accurately portray the ancient world in his oratorio about Saint Paul. Moreover, he enjoyed traveling through Europe, which influenced his symphonies; These symphonies are The Scottish Symphony (Symphony No. 3 in A Minor) and The Italian Symphony (Symphony No. 4 in A major). They are available in the IMSLP Mendelssohn digital library of music for music buffs. 

So, you can understand that his being out of his comfort zone and ready to take up challenges made him more creative in his musical works. New habits and challenges are fuel to boost the creativity of an artist and enable them to find inspiration. 

Humility: 

Felix Mendelssohn kept studying the compositions of legendary composers like Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven. In fact, his teacher Ignaz Moscheles realized that he had little to teach Mendelssohn when he was just 16. However, the German composer never underestimated the value of a musical education. In 1843, he established a conservatory in Leipzig, which exists even today. 

Felix Mendelson was Queen Victoria’s close friend and her favorite composer. The legend’s Wedding March was played at her daughter’s wedding function, which contributed more to its popularity. 

When Mendelssohn died, the Queen was distressed when she came to know about his death. She also said he was so modest and simple. Even after such love and popularity, Mendelssohn didn’t allow his success to go to his head. The legendary composer remained humble about his gifts and was always eager to learn from others. 

So, no matter what musical instruments you are trying to play or what kind of music you are learning, be humble and never stop learning. Keep looking for free sheet music for cello, piano, guitar, etc, to sharpen your skills. 

Most Famous Musical Compositions by Felix Mendelssohn

Available in the IMSLP Mendelssohn virtual library of music, the following are the most loved masterpieces created by the legend: 

Octet: 

The name must be enough for you to get an idea that an octet is a composition for 8 instruments. In this case, it’s a double string quartet; 4 violins, 2 cellos, and 2 violas. 

So, you can think about how difficult it would have been to compose independent parts for 8 different musical instruments while still retaining the right balance between forces. 

Felix Mendelssohn attained this feat with flying colors at the age of just 16. In fact, it’s considered one of the best attainments of nineteenth-century chamber music. The most interesting parts of this composition are a soaring opening movement, a fairy-like scherzo, and a furious fugato at the end, in which each instrument starts playing in turn. 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture: 

This musical piece has the same mysterious, sparkling atmosphere that was in the third movement of Mendelssohn’s octet. It’s because this overture was composed in the year after the composer wrote the octet. 

However, rather than only 8 instruments, the 17-year-old Mendelssohn enlists the forces of a whole orchestra. This masterpiece was inspired by the famous British playwright William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This overture was based on the lovely story of the play. 

Symphony No 4: 

When Felix Mendelssohn went to Great Britain, he also went to Italy, where he took some inspiration to write a symphony. Once, he wrote to Fanny and told her about his progress and pleasant experience. This symphony is a masterpiece; it’s always remembered for its being exuberant and rollicking. 

Let’s Sum up 

Besides looking for and enjoying Felix Mendelssohn’s masterpieces, available in the IMSLP Mendelssohn digital library of music, you can learn so much from his life. These life lessons will enable you to attain success in every walk of life. 

These lessons include persistence in learning for improvement, staying out of comfort zone for exploration, and humility, which means not letting success go to one's head.