Felix's talents as composer, conductor and pianist were encouraged by his teachers, Ludwig Berger, C.F. Zelter and Ignaz Moscheles.
Was born in Hamburg in 1809. Felix was the son of a successful banker, and grandson of the Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. His first music (piano) lessons were from his mother. His sister Fanny Cäcelie Hensel (1805-47) was also a pianist and composer and proved a valuable confidante for him. Felix's talents as composer, conductor and pianist were encouraged by his teachers, Ludwig Berger, C.F. Zelter and Ignaz Moscheles.
By age 9, he was performing in public,
by age 12, had written a piano quartet (Op1),
by 14, had his own private orchestra,
by 16 had produced his first masterpiece - Octet for Strings, and
by 17 had produced his second masterpiece - Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream.
He led the Bach revival, conducting the first performance of St.Matthew Passion since Bach's death.
In 1821 visited Goethe in Weimar. In 1829 made first of 10 visits to England where he conducted the Philharmonic Society. His visits to Scotland inspired him to write the Hebrides Overture and the "Scottish" Symphony (No 3). Felix wrote these in Italy (1830-1), where he met Berlioz and started the "Italian" Symphony (No 4). He was in Paris (1831-2) where he met Liszt and Chopin and returned to Germany in 1833 where he became conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.
In 1837 married Cécile Jeanrenaud.
With Schumann and others, Felix founded Leipzig Conservatorium. He conducted his oratorio Elijah at 1846 Birmingham Festival.
By now Felix's health was weakening and his sister's death hastened his own in 1847.
Mendelssohn's influence on 19th Century music composition was far-reaching despite anti-Semitic trends. His music was suppressed during the Nazi era.
A few of my favourites of Mendelssohn's compositions (in no special order) are:
