Why you should still listen to classical music

Death is a place where it is to be hoped there is still music, but no more sorrow or partings.
Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)

On the 14th of May in the year 1847, Fanny Mendelssohn, age 42, older sister of the famous composer and conductor Felix Mendelsohn Bartholdy, dies of a stroke.

Only half a year later, the 38 year old composer will follow his sister’s example. This is more than a fanny coincidence (if you stop reading now, I won’t blame you). Brother and sister had been very close. They had grown up together, sharing their passion and immense talent for music, and had conserved this bond even when leading lifes in separate places. Her death deals a tremendous blow to Felix. He takes time off to visit his sister’s grave in Berlin, and returns disturbed and severely depressed. He is unable to conduct anymore, so he retreats from public life and travels to Switzerland and Southern Germany. He had been overworked for years, and his family wasn’t particularily known for their longevity. He doesn’t recover from Fanny’s death, and his health continues to decline. In October, a stroke hits him as well, and he soon dies thereafter.
He doesn’t compose too much during that period. But there is one major work from the last months of his life, his last one, the String Quartet №6 in F Minor. It’s titled “Requiem for Fanny”, and if you read this…