User:Helen Martens

User: Helen Martens

Helen Martens is the author of Felix Mendelssohn: Out of the Depths of His Heart, 2009, published by WinePress in Enumclaw, Washington, U S A. The book is unique in that it was crafted in large part from more than 8000 letters which she began reading in 1980 in more than thirty archives and libraries in seven countries in Europe, in NYC and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., as well as research in journals, diaries, books about the aristocracy, history of Jews in Prussia, et al.

The book is totally unique in that it is in large part the story of Mendelssohn's romantic relationship with the beautiful, brilliant pianist, Delphine von Schauroth who was almost totally unknown until Martens discovered the story. The story of the romance is told in the context of historical events, the manners and mores of the era, Mendelssohn's compositions, especially the songs which seem clearly related to the romanc, et al.

Jaanet Rutledge of Leura, Australia, wrote a concise review of the book in 2011: Review of Helen Martens’ Felix Mendelssohn: Out of the Depths of his Heart

When Felix Mendelssohn died in 1847, aged 38, it marked the closing of a life which increasingly was lived in the glare and demands of great fame, public adulation, high honours at home and abroad – especially in Britain – and personal relationships with kings, queens, princes and nobility in general. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to suggest he was feted – sometimes hysterically – almost like today’s movie stars. All of this is on public record. After his death, the image of Mendelssohn, the private man, was carefully “groomed”, shall we say, in family memoirs. It was however, an image which, like the early ones of Jane Austen, was decidedly one-dimensional.

One of the latest biographies to be published, Felix Mendelssohn,: Out of the Depths of His Heart by Helen Martens, is a wonderfully honest revelation of the whole man, loyal friend, devoted family man, one who lived by high moral, spiritual and philosophical ideals … yes, to all of this. Thankfully, he was by no means perfect, as is revealed in this exhaustively researched, well annotated and well written scholarly work. The wide recourses Martens has had in original letters, journals, newspapers and other archives has resulted in a compelling authenticity which ensured this reader had that deeply satisfying “not being able to put it down” reading experience. The generous use of the letters, especially, draws you into the day by day warts and all life of this complex genius. I closed the book with a profound sense of empathy for the overarching humanity which emanated, truly “out of the depths of his heart.” Highly recommended.