Der XLII. Psalm op. 42 - Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix 1809-1847; Luther, Martin 1483-1546 (Leipzig Breitkopf & Härtel, 1838)
Psalm 42, Op. 42 (MWV A 15) "Wie der Hirsch schreit" ("As pants the Hart") is a cantata for soprano, mixed choir and orchestra composed and published in 1837 (revised 1838). The text is based on the Old Testament Psalm 42 in Martin Luther's translation. At the work's first performance, in Leipzig on 1 January 1838, Mendelssohn conducted the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, with Clara Novello as soprano. Schumann opined in 1837 that Mendelssohn's setting of Psalm 42 was the "highest point that he [Mendelssohn] reached as a composer for the church. Indeed the highest point recent church music has reached at all." Mendelssohn himself described it as “my best sacred piece… the best thing I have composed in this manner”, a work “I hold in greater regard than most of my other compositions.” (Wikipedia)
Front matter and last page contain manuscript notes by Carl Schiedermayer about the purchase of this score from Fr. Hauser on october 4th 1850, as well as a performance on May 1st 1851.
Carl Schiedermayer (manuscript)
Keywords: 19th Century (1801-1900); Cantata; Vocal music; Psalm; Leipzig (Germany)