The Mendelssohn Family (1729–1847)

Abstract

Sebastian Hensel (1830–98), nephew of the composer, virtuoso pianist and conductor Felix Mendelssohn (1809–47), originally intended this work to be 'not only of the family but for the family', drawing on their letters and diaries. Persuaded by friends to publish his narrative in 1879, Hensel in particular provides a first-hand insight into the lives of his uncle, lionized by the music-loving public of his day, and Felix's beloved sister Fanny (1805–47), herself a talented composer and pianist. Translated from the German revised second edition by Felix's close friend, diplomat Carl Klingemann (1798–1862), this 1881 two-volume collection made available for the first time in English a great deal of valuable source material. Covering the period 1729–1835, Volume 1 charts the family's history from the birth of philosopher Moses Mendelssohn to the death of his son, banker Abraham Mendelssohn Bartholdy, who was the father of Felix.

A Midsummer Night’s Gene: The familial Neurological Illness of Felix Mendelssohn

“…His headaches increased in frequency through 1837, prompting him to visit a physician. 8,[12][13][14][15][16] These headaches continued to plague him for most of his life. Then, on 7 September 1840, Mendelssohn experienced a swimming incident in which he suddenly lost consciousness for several hours.…”

“…Then, on 7 September 1840, Mendelssohn experienced a swimming incident in which he suddenly lost consciousness for several hours. 13 The preceding symptoms are unknown, but we do know that Mendelssohn at the time was considered athletically fit and an accomplished swimmer. 12,17 Following this incident, he reported suffering from a "splitting headache" for two weeks, which he described as "such congestions in the head that I simply lay there unconscious and in spasm for several hours."…”

“…8,22 Following this event, he was a changed man: he appeared more aged, pale, and tired and walked with a shuffling gait (no longer upright, but bowed and bent). 7,12,13 It is unclear if this "injury to a small vessel of the head" was indeed an ischemic attack or small hemorrhage. His only noted neurologic deficit at this time was gait disturbance.…”

“…24 On 9 October, during a rehearsal, he experienced "an attack of numbness in his hands" and "an eerie feeling of impending death … the color drained from his face and his hands were cold as ice." 12,13 Mendelssohn wrote of the feeling as "though the separate parts of [his] body were playing chess; now one advances and says to the other: you stay behind." 12,14,18 Along with these neurological symptoms, he also experienced irregular pulse and delirium, and again, splitting headaches.…”

“…12,14,18 Along with these neurological symptoms, he also experienced irregular pulse and delirium, and again, splitting headaches. [12][13][14] The incident of 1st November was described at the time as a stroke, although it was unknown if the event was ischemic or hemorrhagic. Still, the stroke resulted in loss of consciousness, persistent partial paralysis, and ongoing headache.…”