When I've read commentators comparing Mendelssohn to the other romantic composers, he seems to be judged in retrospect as not quite being in the same league. I believe part of it is lack of suffering. Chopin (love, terminal illness), Brahms (the artist's struggle) and Schumann (depression) all suffered in different ways, and could bring those feelings into their composing. Even Liszt was at war with himself sometimes, e.g., earthly love vs. devotion to God and religion. Conversely, Mendelssohn was well to do, lived a most orderly and meticulous life, and until Fanny's death, suffered no tragedies of note. I surmise that that's why his music lacks those great moments of anguish and triumph that his contemporaries could create so naturally that so captivate the listener. So I believe that Mendelssohn retains an important place in the pantheon of romantic composers, but not so lofty a position as the others.
Does anyone know the "names" of the ones I've listed above with only their number?
No one's mentioned Mendelssohn's Fantasy in F# minor, Op.28 !!
IMO a person doesn't have to suffer in order to create music.. he doesn't have to have tragedies to be able to compose, and that's what u say, RachFan..mendelssohn's music is so fantastic, it always reminds me of elves,fairies and other fantasy creatures..