Thought of romanticism and literacy of classicism: An analysis composition techniques of <em>Rondo Capriccioso Op</em>.14 by Felix Mendelssohn

Xinwen Yan; Jian Zhang

doi:10.31893/multiscience.2025405

Keywords:

music theory

Rondo Capriccioso Op14

felix mendelssohn

classicism and romanticism

cultural appreciation

Abstract

Felix Mendelssohn, a prominent figure of the German Romantic period, is celebrated for his remarkable musical talent and creativity. Among his numerous acclaimed compositions, "Rondo Capriccioso" stands out as one of his most distinctive works. This study aims to deeply analyze the classical and romantic characteristics of Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccioso" to explore its musical essence and artistic value. The research methodology involves an extensive review of relevant literature and materials, combined with an in-depth analysis of the composition itself, including an introduction to the composer and the historical context of the work. The study examines the musical structure and shares insights into performance techniques. Findings reveal that "Rondo Capriccioso" showcases Mendelssohn's unique synthesis of classical and romantic music styles, as reflected in its structural layout, harmonic tonality, and innovative compositional techniques. This piece not only demonstrates Mendelssohn's continuation and development of classical traditions but also highlights his innovations and contributions to the romantic music genre. The significance of this study lies in its exploration of the artistic depth of Mendelssohn's compositions, providing fresh perspectives and theoretical support for academic research in music, enriching the understanding of the Romantic era, and offering valuable insights for the performance practice of this work.
References
1. Barrett, M. S. (2012). Music education and the development of creativity: A review of literature. Psychology of Music, 40(1), 102–114. https://doi. org/10.1177/0305735611408993
2. Bennett, T. (2001). The cultural sciences. In B. Turner (Ed.), The Blackwell Companion to Social Theory (pp. 193– 209). Blackwell Publishers.
3. Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. G. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education (pp. 241–258). Greenwood Press.
4. Campbell, P. S. (2017). Music, education, and diversity: Bridging cultures and communities. Teachers College Press.
5. Campbell, P. S., & Scott-Kassner, C. (2014). Music in childhood: From preschool through the elementary grades (4th ed.). Schirmer. Choksy, Cooper M J ,Mace R A . (2011). Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy[M].Taylor and Francis:03-22.
6. Choksy, L., Abramson, R., & Gillespie, J. (2009). World music: A global journey (2nd ed.). Routledge.
7. Dominik A .(2011). Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. His life. His music.MUSIKFORSCHUNG,64(1):80-81.
8. Edward B J ,John P . (2019). Alternative Paths, Phrase Expansion, and the Music of Felix Mendelssohn[J].Music Theory Spectrum,41(2):187-217.
9. Guo, F. (2018). Mendelssohn's "Capriccio Rondo": An Analysis of Performance [Master’s thesis, Henan University].
10. He, P. (2014). Fusion of Classical and Romantic Elements [Master’s thesis, Fujian Normal University].
11. He, X., & Sornyai, P. (2023). Cultural Studies and Heritage Education of Nanyin Performance Art in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 11(4), 141-150. https:// doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.11n.4p.141
12. Huang, Y. (2024). Cultural Harmonies: Exploring Compositional Techniques and Cultural Fusion in Guizhou Ethnic Minority Music. Pacific International Journal, 7(1), 216-221. https://doi.org/10.55014/pij.v7i1.558
13. Jian, Z. (2022) Sustainable Engagement and Academic Achievement Under Impact of Academic Self-Efficacy Through Mediation of Learning Agility—Evidence From Music Education Students. Front. Psychol.13:899706. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.899706
14. Juan, L., Jirajarupat, P., & Yinghua, Z. (2023). The Transmission of Guqin Musical Instrument Knowledge Literacy and Its Reflection Study in Guizhou Province, China. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 11(2), 22-29. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.11n.2p.22
15. L., Abramson, R., & Gillespie, J. (2009). World music: A global journey (2nd ed.). Routledge.
16. Li Yi. (2019). Musical Analysis and Performance Interpretation of Mendelssohn’s “Rondo Capriccio in E Minor”, Master’s Thesis,
17. Liu Shiping. (2022). Analysis and performance techniques of Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccio"[D]. Master's degree thesis of Tianjin Conservatory of Music.
18. Long, S. (2007). Research on Mendelssohn's "Songs Without Words" and Its Application in Teaching [Master’s thesis, Capital Normal University].
19. Mang, J. A., & Custodero, L. A. (2006). Arts integration in the curriculum: A review of research and implications for teaching and learning. Arts Education Policy Review, 107(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.3200/AEPR.107.1.25-32
20. Michael J C ,R. A M . (2011). Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy:A Research and Information Guide[M].Taylor and Francis:05-03.DOI:10.4324/9780203876077.
21. Ng, D. T., Ng, E. H., & Chu, S. K. (2022). Engaging students in creative music making with musical instrument application in an online flipped classroom. Education and information Technologies, 27(1), 45-64. https://doi. org/10.1007/s10639-021-10568-2
22. Qian, Z. M. (2009). Analysis of the musical and performance characteristics of Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words and its teaching significance. Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
23. Ren, H. (2016). Study on the texture and layering of Chopin’s Rondo in E-flat Major, Op. 16. Journal of Kaifeng Educational College, 36(12), 236–237.
24. Shen, W. N. (2024). The Fusion of Classical and Romantic Elements: An Analysis of Mendelssohn’s "Capriccio Rondo in E Minor, Op. 14" [Master’s thesis, Taiyuan Normal University]. https://doi.org/10.27844/d.cnki.gtysf.2024.000109
25. Song, X. Y. (2024). Comparative study of expressiveness in the performance of Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14. Nanchang University. https://doi.org/10.27232/d.cnki.gnchu.2024.003020
26. Storr, A. (2015). Music and the Mind. Simon and Schuster.
27. Tang Wenhao. (2020). A brief analysis of Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccio". Drama House, (11): 53-54.
28. Verhoef, T., & Ravignani, A. (2021). Melodic universals emerge or are sustained through cultural evolution. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 668300. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.668300
29. Xu Jing. (2023) On the Musical Characteristics of Classical and Romantic Periods. Journal of Hexi University, 1672-0520
30. Yang, Y. (2022). Interpretation of the compositional characteristics of Chopin's Rondo in E-flat Major, Op. 16. Yellow River Sound(12), 52–54. https://doi.org/10.19340/j.cnki.hhzs.2022.12.022
31. Yang, Y., & Welch, G. (2023). A systematic literature review of Chinese music education studies during 2007 to 2019. International Journal of Music Education, 41(2), 175- 198. https://doi.org/10.1177/02557614221096150
32. Yuan, Y. (2023). An exploration of a three-stage progressive piano teaching method: A case study of Mendelssohn’s Venetian Boat Song in G Minor. Art Education, (07), 76–79.
33. Yunkun, L. (2024). The Impact of Music Education on the Quality of Talent Cultivation. Transactions on Comparative Education, 6(1), 72-77. https://doi.org/10.23977/trance.2024.060110
34. Zhang Shu. (2023). Musical analysis and performance interpretation of Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccio". China Nationalities Expo, 1007-419802
35. Zhang, S. (2023). Synthesizing Eastern and Western Musical Idioms in the Context of the Piano Concertos with the Traditional Chinese Orchestra: An Analytical Study of Selected Works, with Performance Considerations [Doctoral dissertation] University of Northern Colorado.
36. Zou Jiachun. (2020). Musical analysis and performance techniques of Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccio". Northern Music, (16): 98-99.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Yan, X., & Zhang, J. (2025). Thought of romanticism and literacy of classicism: An analysis composition techniques of <em>Rondo Capriccioso Op</em>.14 by Felix Mendelssohn. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(8). https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2025405

[1] Barrett, M. S. (2012). Music education and the development of creativity: A review of literature. Psychology of Music, 40(1), 102–114. https://doi. org/10.1177/0305735611408993

[2] Bennett, T. (2001). The cultural sciences. In B. Turner (Ed.), The Blackwell Companion to Social Theory (pp. 193– 209). Blackwell Publishers.

[3] Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. G. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education (pp. 241–258). Greenwood Press.

[4] Campbell, P. S. (2017). Music, education, and diversity: Bridging cultures and communities. Teachers College Press.

[5] Campbell, P. S., & Scott-Kassner, C. (2014). Music in childhood: From preschool through the elementary grades (4th ed.). Schirmer. Choksy, Cooper M J ,Mace R A . (2011). Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy[M].Taylor and Francis:03-22.

[6] Choksy, L., Abramson, R., & Gillespie, J. (2009). World music: A global journey (2nd ed.). Routledge.

[7] Dominik A .(2011). Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. His life. His music.MUSIKFORSCHUNG,64(1):80-81.

[8] Edward B J ,John P . (2019). Alternative Paths, Phrase Expansion, and the Music of Felix Mendelssohn[J].Music Theory Spectrum,41(2):187-217.

[9] Guo, F. (2018). Mendelssohn's "Capriccio Rondo": An Analysis of Performance [Master’s thesis, Henan University].

[10] He, P. (2014). Fusion of Classical and Romantic Elements [Master’s thesis, Fujian Normal University].

[11] He, X., & Sornyai, P. (2023). Cultural Studies and Heritage Education of Nanyin Performance Art in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 11(4), 141-150. https:// doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.11n.4p.141

[12] Huang, Y. (2024). Cultural Harmonies: Exploring Compositional Techniques and Cultural Fusion in Guizhou Ethnic Minority Music. Pacific International Journal, 7(1), 216-221. https://doi.org/10.55014/pij.v7i1.558

[13] Jian, Z. (2022) Sustainable Engagement and Academic Achievement Under Impact of Academic Self-Efficacy Through Mediation of Learning Agility—Evidence From Music Education Students. Front. Psychol.13:899706. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.899706

[14] Juan, L., Jirajarupat, P., & Yinghua, Z. (2023). The Transmission of Guqin Musical Instrument Knowledge Literacy and Its Reflection Study in Guizhou Province, China. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 11(2), 22-29. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.11n.2p.22

[15] L., Abramson, R., & Gillespie, J. (2009). World music: A global journey (2nd ed.). Routledge.

[16] Li Yi. (2019). Musical Analysis and Performance Interpretation of Mendelssohn’s “Rondo Capriccio in E Minor”, Master’s Thesis,

[17] Liu Shiping. (2022). Analysis and performance techniques of Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccio"[D]. Master's degree thesis of Tianjin Conservatory of Music.

[18] Long, S. (2007). Research on Mendelssohn's "Songs Without Words" and Its Application in Teaching [Master’s thesis, Capital Normal University].

[19] Mang, J. A., & Custodero, L. A. (2006). Arts integration in the curriculum: A review of research and implications for teaching and learning. Arts Education Policy Review, 107(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.3200/AEPR.107.1.25-32

[20] Michael J C ,R. A M . (2011). Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy:A Research and Information Guide[M].Taylor and Francis:05-03.DOI:10.4324/9780203876077.

[21] Ng, D. T., Ng, E. H., & Chu, S. K. (2022). Engaging students in creative music making with musical instrument application in an online flipped classroom. Education and information Technologies, 27(1), 45-64. https://doi. org/10.1007/s10639-021-10568-2

[22] Qian, Z. M. (2009). Analysis of the musical and performance characteristics of Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words and its teaching significance. Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

[23] Ren, H. (2016). Study on the texture and layering of Chopin’s Rondo in E-flat Major, Op. 16. Journal of Kaifeng Educational College, 36(12), 236–237.

[24] Shen, W. N. (2024). The Fusion of Classical and Romantic Elements: An Analysis of Mendelssohn’s "Capriccio Rondo in E Minor, Op. 14" [Master’s thesis, Taiyuan Normal University]. https://doi.org/10.27844/d.cnki.gtysf.2024.000109

[25] Song, X. Y. (2024). Comparative study of expressiveness in the performance of Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14. Nanchang University. https://doi.org/10.27232/d.cnki.gnchu.2024.003020

[26] Storr, A. (2015). Music and the Mind. Simon and Schuster.

[27] Tang Wenhao. (2020). A brief analysis of Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccio". Drama House, (11): 53-54.

[28] Verhoef, T., & Ravignani, A. (2021). Melodic universals emerge or are sustained through cultural evolution. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 668300. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.668300

[29] Xu Jing. (2023) On the Musical Characteristics of Classical and Romantic Periods. Journal of Hexi University, 1672-0520

[30] Yang, Y. (2022). Interpretation of the compositional characteristics of Chopin's Rondo in E-flat Major, Op. 16. Yellow River Sound(12), 52–54. https://doi.org/10.19340/j.cnki.hhzs.2022.12.022

[31] Yang, Y., & Welch, G. (2023). A systematic literature review of Chinese music education studies during 2007 to 2019. International Journal of Music Education, 41(2), 175- 198. https://doi.org/10.1177/02557614221096150

[32] Yuan, Y. (2023). An exploration of a three-stage progressive piano teaching method: A case study of Mendelssohn’s Venetian Boat Song in G Minor. Art Education, (07), 76–79.

[33] Yunkun, L. (2024). The Impact of Music Education on the Quality of Talent Cultivation. Transactions on Comparative Education, 6(1), 72-77. https://doi.org/10.23977/trance.2024.060110

[34] Zhang Shu. (2023). Musical analysis and performance interpretation of Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccio". China Nationalities Expo, 1007-419802

[35] Zhang, S. (2023). Synthesizing Eastern and Western Musical Idioms in the Context of the Piano Concertos with the Traditional Chinese Orchestra: An Analytical Study of Selected Works, with Performance Considerations [Doctoral dissertation] University of Northern Colorado.

[36] Zou Jiachun. (2020). Musical analysis and performance techniques of Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccio". Northern Music, (16): 98-99.

Multidisciplinary Science Journal

Research Article | Vol. 7 Issue 8 (2025) | Published in 21 February 2025

Thought of romanticism and literacy of classicism: An analysis composition techniques of Rondo Capriccioso Op.14 by Felix Mendelssohn

Abstract

References

How to cite