'This book sheds new light on the importance of Mendelssohn's output in the genre of a cappella music, and it offers insight into the state of liturgy and music in a transitional period of (Lutheran) church music. Indeed, the details of the clergy/musician struggles that were so bothersome to Mendelssohn make this episode very interesting to read. For the modern church musician, it confirms that, even for a musical genius, the practice of music in the church was never simple.' Jane Schatkin Hettrick, The American Organist magazine

• 1. Back to the future: Mendelssohn, Berlin, and the protestant a cappella movement; 2. Mendelssohn's concept of church music; 3. An inauspicious start: music for christmas 1843; 4. Ideals proposed: music for New Year's Day 1844; 5. Ideals compromised: music for epiphany and lent 1844; 6. New ideals conceptualized: preparing for departure; 7. Mendelssohn's lasting legacy; References.

'This book sheds new light on the importance of Mendelssohn's output in the genre of a cappella music, and it offers insight into the state of liturgy and music in a transitional period of (Lutheran) church music. Indeed, the details of the clergy/musician struggles that were so bothersome to Mendelssohn make this episode very interesting to read. For the modern church musician, it confirms that, even for a musical genius, the practice of music in the church was never simple.' Jane Schatkin Hettrick, The American Organist magazine

• 1. Back to the future: Mendelssohn, Berlin, and the protestant a cappella movement; 2. Mendelssohn's concept of church music; 3. An inauspicious start: music for christmas 1843; 4. Ideals proposed: music for New Year's Day 1844; 5. Ideals compromised: music for epiphany and lent 1844; 6. New ideals conceptualized: preparing for departure; 7. Mendelssohn's lasting legacy; References.

'This book sheds new light on the importance of Mendelssohn's output in the genre of a cappella music, and it offers insight into the state of liturgy and music in a transitional period of (Lutheran) church music. Indeed, the details of the clergy/musician struggles that were so bothersome to Mendelssohn make this episode very interesting to read. For the modern church musician, it confirms that, even for a musical genius, the practice of music in the church was never simple.' Jane Schatkin Hettrick, The American Organist magazine

• 1. Back to the future: Mendelssohn, Berlin, and the protestant a cappella movement; 2. Mendelssohn's concept of church music; 3. An inauspicious start: music for christmas 1843; 4. Ideals proposed: music for New Year's Day 1844; 5. Ideals compromised: music for epiphany and lent 1844; 6. New ideals conceptualized: preparing for departure; 7. Mendelssohn's lasting legacy; References.