Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Kate Molleson follows Mendelssohn's first visit to London and his rise to celebrity status.

This week, Kate Molleson follows Felix Mendelssohn's journeys across Europe. Today, the 20-year-old composer arrives in London – a city he would come to adore. Battling seasickness, social expectations and musical politics, Mendelssohn quickly wins over audiences with his brilliance as a conductor, pianist and composer. From triumphant Philharmonic Society concerts to encounters with industrial pioneers and London's cultural elite, we explore the beginnings of a lifelong love affair between Mendelssohn and Britain.

Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11 (1829 London Version): Scherzo
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir John Eliot Gardiner, conductor

Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Op. 27
Bamberger Symphoniker
Claus Peter Flor, conductor

Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11: Allegro di molto
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
RIAS Kammerchor
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten
Nanette Mans, soprano
Ars Musica
Patrick van der Linden, conductor

Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25: I and II
Jan Lisiecki, piano
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and West.

Release date:

59 minutes

Broadcast

  • Tue 18 Aug 202616:00

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.