Felix Mendelssohn

On his visits to London, Felix Mendelssohn was a guest of Thomas Attwood who was then organist of St. Paul's and it was Attwood, himself a pupil of Mozart, who was among the first to recognise the genius of the young composer. The two men became close friends and Mendelssohn often visited the Cathedral and played the organ voluntaries at the end of the services. Later he dedicated three Preludes and Fugues and some service-music to Attwood.

Mendelssohn's anthem Above all praise and all majesty is set for 8 part unaccompanied choir and, together with the chorus How lovely are the messengers comes from Mendelssohn's Oratorio St. Paul.

In 1873 a perfomance of this Oratorio was given by choir and orchestra at Evensong on St. Paul's day, 25th January, and this became a yearly event which was only discontinued comparatively recently.

Felix Mendelssohn on Guild Music

• GMCD 7316 - Songs without Words
• GMCD 7314 - noël nouvelet
• GMCD 7308 - Hear My Prayer
• GMCD 7249 - Mendelssohn Sonatas
• GMCD 7246 - Psalm 100 (Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt)
• GMCD 7118 Above all praise and majesty, How lovely are the messengers - both from the Oratorio St. Paul
• GMCD 7111 There shall a star from Jacob come forth - from Christus
• GMCD 7107 Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream

Page revised Friday February 01 2008