Family and religion
Mendelssohn was the grandson of the Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. Initially raised without religion, Felix was baptised into the Reformed Christian church at the age of seven.
Music · Visual art · Literature
Felix Mendelssohn
An early Romantic composer whose works include the Wedding March, the Italian and Scottish Symphonies, Songs Without Words and the Violin Concerto. His 1829 performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion helped revive interest in Bach's music.
Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic era. Recognised as a musical prodigy, he achieved success across Europe as a composer, conductor and soloist. He also founded the Leipzig Conservatory.
Worth knowing
His sister Fanny
His sister Fanny received a similar musical education and became a talented composer and pianist. Some of her early songs were published under Felix's name. Her Easter Sonata, lost and rediscovered in the 1970s, was also mistakenly attributed to him for a time.
Reviving interest in Bach
In 1829, Mendelssohn gave a performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion that helped revive interest in Bach's music.
Major works
Mendelssohn's best-known works include the String Octet, Songs Without Words, the Italian and Scottish Symphonies, Elijah, the Hebrides Overture and the Violin Concerto. His incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream includes the Wedding March.
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