The Influence of Emanuel Bach on Mendelssohnʼs Violin Concerto?!

I asked ChatGPT4o: "Emanuel Bachʼs Wq. 183-3 and Mendelssohnʼs Violin Concerto both have their first and second movements connected, and the way they transition seems similar to me [see Leonhardtʼs performance]. Could it be that Mendelssohn got the idea for this transition from Bachʼs piece?"

The continuous structure between the first and second movements in Emanuel Bachʼs Wq. 183-3 (Flute Concerto in E minor) reflects the empfindsamer Stil (sensitive style) and is characteristic of Bachʼs emphasis on emotional flow and formal freedom. This seamless connection between movements likely influenced Romantic composers.

Similarly, Mendelssohnʼs Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, also connects the first and second movements without pause, a feature that indeed evokes Emanuel Bachʼs influence. While Mendelssohnʼs deep respect for J.S. Bach is well known, it is quite plausible that he was also familiar with Emanuel Bachʼs music, particularly his innovative forms and emotional expression.

A comparison of the transitions between the two works reveals several possible similarities:

1. Seamless Continuity Between Movements: In both works, the first movement transitions into the second without a dramatic conclusion, enhancing the narrative and emotional progression for the listener.
2. The Role of the Transition: In both pieces, the transition is not merely a "bridge" but serves as an important foreshadowing of the character and mood of the next movement.
3. Key Modulation: In Emanuel Bachʼs Wq. 183-3, the transition from E minor to E major is striking and may have influenced Mendelssohnʼs handling of tonality in his Violin Concerto.

While there is no direct evidence that Mendelssohn explicitly referenced Emanuel Bachʼs works, it is highly likely that the empfindsamer Stil and Bachʼs innovative formal approaches were well known among early 19th-century Romantic composers. Considering this, the hypothesis that Emanuel Bachʼs music influenced Mendelssohnʼs structural choices is quite compelling.

I asked ChatGPT4o: "Are there other works by Mendelssohn that show the influence of Emanuel Bach?"

Several of Mendelssohnʼs works could reflect the influence of Emanuel Bach. Mendelssohn had a deep interest in Classical and Baroque music, and the influence of the Bach family is evident in his compositions.

1. String Symphonies: Mendelssohnʼs early String Symphonies display a lively and emotionally rich style, reminiscent of Emanuel Bachʼs unpredictable emotional shifts and dynamic contrasts.
2. Piano Sonata Op. 6: This sonata potentially reflects Emanuel Bachʼs free sense of form and passionate expression, blending Baroque and Classical influences with Mendelssohnʼs own lyrical phrasing.
3. "Songs Without Words" (Lieder ohne Worte): These piano works contain moments that suggest Emanuel Bachʼs influence, particularly in their subtle emotional expression and improvisatory character, echoing Bachʼs proto-Romantic elements.
4. Oratorio "Elijah" (Elias): Mendelssohnʼs sacred music integrates Baroque and Classical styles, and the dramatic expression and orchestral tension in "Elijah" evoke the styles Emanuel Bach explored in his concertos and symphonies.

In Mendelssohnʼs music, the influence of Emanuel Bach appears less as direct quotation or imitation and more in the inheritance of musical innovation and expressive depth.

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