Mendelssohn's journeys - Italy

"My parents have no doubt told you what impressions I had when I saw Italy for the first time. I go from one pleasure to another, spending hours constantly learning something new and fresh. Immediately after I arrived, I discovered certain masterpieces that I study with great care and then think about them for several hours a day."

These words Felix Mendelssohn wrote to his professor Zelter in a letter dated October 16, 1830. At that time he was already traveling extensively through Europe, visiting the most significant centers of art and culture. At the suggestion of Goethe, who was a friend of the family, Felix's parents sent him to a three-year trip to Europe, which at that time was almost mandatory for all members of the upper class. Spending several months abroad were aimed at introducing young people to the culture and history of other countries. The most important destination on these tours was Italy. Felix spent time away from home between 1829 and 1831. He first visited England and then Italy, where he stayed in Rome, Florence, Milan and Naples. Thanks to these trips, some of his most beautiful works were composed and the artist himself was able to expand his perspectives and make good contacts in the art world.

Felix Mendelssohn was born in 1809 in Hamburg. The members of his family were very fond of music and art in general. His grandfather was the famous philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, his father Abraham had a refined taste in literature and his mother was very well educated. Felix apparently grew up in a favorable intellectual environment. Along with his very talented older sister Fanny, he had been learning music from a young age. Salons at their home in Berlin were frequented by prominent artists of the time. Felix was considered a child prodigy. At only seventeen, he wrote the Overture for Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream, which is considered to be a true masterpiece.

"I feel I have completely changed since I came here. What is it that makes me feel good so much, I cannot define precisely. In any case, I'm different than I was before. My health is better and I'm happier, I gladly commit myself to composing , so I expect to achieve much more than I expected. When I get into my room early in the morning and see the sun shining brightly on my desk, I feel so comfortable and satisfied. It is late autumn now and I really wonder who would in our country expect warm weather, clear skies, grapes and flowers in that season ? After breakfast, I start working, playing, singing and composing until almost noon. After that I choose different historical monuments that I would like to visit that day. Sometimes I go to see the remains from ancient times, other times I go to the Borghese Gallery, St. Peter's Church or the Vatican. So every day is really worthy of remembering, and as time goes on, all those objects that I see are more and more engraved into my memory."

These words, quoted from Felix's letter, full of cheerfulness and enthusiasm, was addressed to his sister Fanny. It confirms that longer stays in Italy have greatly contributed to the improvement of his overall physical and spiritual well-being. In addition, Italy was obviously a truly inspiring place for him to create music, so he began writing his Fourth Symphony in A Major, which is known as the Italian. "It will be the most fun composition I've ever written." - said Felix to his sister Fanny. This was true and it can be heard in the first and the last movements of the symphony.