Was Mendelssohn's music seen as too classical by contemporaries?
Some have suggested that my music retains too much of the classical spirit, perhaps lacking the unrestrained Sturm und Drang that some Romantic composers favored. However, I believe the beauty lies in its elegant simplicity and the grace that can be preserved even amidst the most passionate expression. My aim is not to abandon classical principles, but to infuse them with a richer, more personal emotional palette. The 'Scottish' and 'Italian' symphonies, for example, draw inspiration from specific landscapes and moods, yet their structure and development remain carefully considered.
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