Arnold Mendelssohn Arnold Mendelssohn

Arnold Ludwig Mendelssohn (26 December 1855 in Racibórz – 18 February 1933 in Darmstadt), was a German composer and music teacher.

He was born in the then Ratibor, Province of Silesia, son of Felix Mendelssohn's cousin Wilhelm Mendelssohn (1821–1866) who had married in 1854 Louise Aimee Cauer (sister to Bertha Cauer). Arnold Ludwig himself married in 1885 his second cousin Maria Cauer, daughter of Carl Cauer (brother of Ludwig Cauer).

Mendelssohn was originally a lawyer before studying music, then was director of church music and a professor in Darmstadt. Paul Hindemith was one of his students. After his death his works were banned in Nazi Germany because of his Jewish heritage.

Works, editions and recordings

Mendelssohn composed chorale cantatas, three operas, and other works.

Operas

• Elsi, die seltsame Magd (op. 8), Oper in 2 Aufzügen. Libretto: Hermann Wette; premier 16 April 1896 Stadttheater Köln
• Der Bärenhäuter (op. 11), Oper in 3 Acts. Libretto: Hermann Wette; premiere 9 February 1900 Theater des Westens in Berlin
• Die Minneburg (1904–07), Oper in einem Akt. Libretto: G. von Koch; premiere 1909 in Mannheim

Selected recordings

• Deutsche Messe op.89 SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart, Frieder Bernius. Hanssler.
• Geistliche Chormusik op.90, Berliner Vokalensemble, Bernd Stegmann. Cantate.