Mendelssohn Conference Events

March 19, 2011
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.

Plenary Sessions

Plenary I: Church Music, Sacred Music, and the Concert Hall: Mendelssohn in Context—Peter Mercer-Taylor, Presenter.

Taking a broad historical and biographical perspective, examine the complex and shifting roles of church and sacred music in Mendelssohn’s own compositions and in the musical world he helped to shape.

Plenary II: Felix Mendelssohn and the German Organ Music Scene—Bruce Bengtson, Presenter.

Hear the organ music of Mendelssohn, Kittel, Kellner, Rinck and August Bach with commentary along the way.A panel discussion made up of conference speakers and clinicians will follow the afternoon plenary. It will be moderated by Paul Westermeyer, professor of church music, Luther Seminary.

Workshops

Workshops (Offered concurrently in the morning and afternoon, unless noted otherwise.)

Mostly Mendelssohn: A Choral Reading Session

Bruce Bengtson and David Cherwien team up to read through some of the lesser known but accessible works of Mendelssohn.

(Note: Morning only.)

Give Ear to My Prayer, O God: A Theological Study of Psalm 55

Kathryn Schifferdecker will provide a brief introduction to theological themes in the Psalms, and lead participants through an in-depth study of Psalm 55, the basis for Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer, which will be sung as part of Evening Prayer by members of the National Lutheran Choir.

Mendelssohn as Accidental Hymnodist

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” is without a doubt the best-known tune adapted, after the composer’s death, from a work of Mendelssohn’s. Dozens of other such adaptations appeared in the 19th century. This session will examine a handful of such tunes, many of which form provocative, convincing settings of familiar texts.

An open rehearsal with members of the National Lutheran Choir

David Cherwien, conductor; Bruce Bengtson, organist

(Note: Afternoon only.)