Meet A Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

 Meet a Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

Years Lived: 1809 - 1847
Period: Romantic
Country: Germany

Felix Mendelssohn (whose full name is Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy—what a name!) was a German composer known for a variety of styles of compositions. He was also a successful pianist, organist, and conductor.  Mendelssohn was born in Hamburg and the family moved to Berlin when he was two. In Berlin, his parents made sure he, his brother, and two sisters had the best education they could get—studying music, art, and literature. This gave Felix a wide array of artistic areas to explore which ultimately influenced his unique musical sound. 

Mendelssohn studied with various people throughout his late childhood and early teens, including Marie Bigot, Ludwig Berger, and Carl Friedrich Zelter. From a young age, people marveled at his abilities and musical genius. By the age of nine, he gave his first public performance in Berlin and he began composing at the age of 10.

Mendelssohn wrote many piano compositions from sonatas to concertos, 12 symphonies (with a 13th that was never completed—he only wrote the first movement), and several overtures. His most famous pieces are his Midsummer Night's Dream, and his Violin Concerto in E Major, and two symphonies—his Symphony No. 3, nicknamed "Scottish Symphony" and his Symphony No. 4, nicknamed "Italian Symphony."

Did you know?

Mendelssohn's older sister, Fanny, was an accomplished pianist and it was often thought she should pursue music instead of Felix, but at the time it was considered improper for a woman to study music. She went on to compose a few pieces that are still performed today.

Mendelssohn was responsible for a "Bach Revival" when in 1829, at the age of 20, he conducted the first performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion outside of Leipzig since Bach's death in 1750—a piece many people had forgotten about. He is credited for helping keep Bach as famous today as he was in the Baroque era. 

Mendelssohn composed the famous "Wedding March" which is used widely in wedding ceremonies even to this day. Composed for his A Midsummer Night's Dream, the first known use of "Wedding March" at a wedding was in 1847. However it did not become a popular recessional choice for weddings until 1858 when Victoria, The Princess Royal, daughter of Queen Victoria, used it at her wedding to Prince Frederick William of Prussia. Queen Victoria loved Mendelssohn's music and he often played for her when he was in Britain. 

The name Felix means happy in Latin which was very fitting for Mendelssohn's personality.

Mendelssohn was one of the first people to use a baton when conducting.

Some music critics and scholars consider Mendelssohn to be the greatest child prodigy of all time, even greater than Mozart.

Check out this Classics for Kids article for more information about Mendelssohn, and then listen to this short Classics for Kids podcast about Mendelssohn, which includes clips from nine of his compositions and a short quiz.

This Classic FM article includes 15 pictures and facts about Mendelssohn.

This YouTube video from Halidon Music, gives 10 facts about Mendelssohn while music from Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words is played.