Felix Mendelssohn’s youthful travels across Europe weren’t just about sightseeing; they were a creative odyssey that shaped his musical legacy. This journey of artistic discovery yielded some of his most cherished works.

The Seeds of Inspiration: From Edinburgh to Staffa

Like many young people today who embark on cultural pilgrimages across Europe, Mendelssohn’s grand tour in the early 1830s was a formative experience. He embraced the artistic riches of each country, absorbing the cultural tapestry and weaving it into his music.

Mendelssohn’s adventure began in England, where he initially found the bustling city of London overwhelming. However, he was captivated by the ruined beauty of Holyrood Chapel in Edinburgh, a spark of inspiration for his Scottish Symphony. His journey took him further north to the wild shores of Staffa, a dramatic landscape that ignited the musical imagination for his Hebrides Overture.

The Symphony of Faith: The Reformation

Mendelssohn’s travels were deeply intertwined with his strong Protestant faith. He felt a profound connection to the 300th anniversary of Luther’s Augsburg Confession, a pivotal moment in Protestantism.

Mendelssohn’s vision was to commemorate this event through a symphony that would tell the story of the Reformation. He found the final movement of his Fifth Symphony in the depths of a Welsh lead mine, a tangible manifestation of his creative process. Despite obstacles like a carriage accident and illness, Mendelssohn persevered, crafting a symphony that was a musical testament to his faith.

Italy: A Clash of Cultures

Mendelssohn’s journey led him to Italy, a country steeped in artistic history. He was intrigued by the Renaissance art in Venice but found the local music scene disappointing, even disparaging it in his letters.

Despite his reservations about the Italian musical landscape, Mendelssohn was deeply affected by the joyful spirit of the country. This cultural immersion inspired his Fourth Symphony, a vibrant composition that stands in stark contrast to the “mists and melancholy” of his Scottish works. The symphony’s lively rhythms and optimistic tone reflect the infectious energy of his Italian journey.

Paris: A Meeting of Minds

Mendelssohn’s travels brought him to Paris, a city brimming with musical talent in the wake of the French Revolution. He met Chopin, the opera composer Giacomo Meyerbeer, and a young Franz Liszt, who impressed him with his virtuoso piano skills.

However, Mendelssohn’s musical tastes were not always aligned with the avant-garde composers he encountered. He found Liszt’s work too unconventional and expressed his disdain for Berlioz’s “hallucinatory” Symphonie Fantastique.

The Fifth Symphony: A Triumphant Premiere

Finally, Mendelssohn returned to Berlin and the Singakademie, where he conducted the premiere of his Fifth Symphony. This symphonic masterpiece was a powerful proclamation of his faith, drawing inspiration from his European adventures and his study of Palestrina.

Mendelssohn’s European travels were a transformative experience that profoundly shaped his musical voice. His journeys were not just geographic expeditions, but artistic explorations that gave rise to some of his most lasting compositions.