The New York Choral Society is presenting a symposium on Felix Mendelssohn titled “Mendelssohn: A Conversation. His Life, His Music His Passion” on Jan. 11.
The talk will give a rare opportunity to look into Mendelssohn and the complex psychological, sociological and musical forces that fueled the creation of his powerful and deeply moving oratorio, St. Paul.
The symposium will be moderated by David Hayes, music director of the New York Choral Society. Two distinguished experts on the German composer will be there to discuss the popular piece. Dr. Larry Todd, author of “Mendelssohn: A Life in Music” and Dr. Siegwart Reichjwald, author of “The Musical Genesis of Felix Mendelssoh’s Paulus,” will talk about the complexity and passion of the story of St. Paul. The two will also explore the personal relevance of St. Paul to Mendelssohn himself.
There are many similarities between St. Paul and Mendelssohn for the author’s to discuss. Both were born into Jewish families and then later converted to Christianity. From this moving religious experience, both were faced with spiritual crises, religious intolerance and the quest for religious identity. The New York Choral Society have also invited members of the Christian and Jewish clergy to be join in the discussion.
The symposium will set the stage for an upcoming performance of Mendelssohn’s rarely heard oratorio, St. Paul, which will be performed at Carnegie Hall on January 25. Through his music, Mendelssohn tells the story of the conversion of Saul, later known as the apostle Paul, through beautiful and dramatic choral music. The performance will be sung in original German with English subtitles.
The talk will take place at Mannes College The New School for Music Concert Hall on Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are free but registration is required. To reserve a seat, click here.
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