Felix Mendelssohn
German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of Jewish descent (1809-1847)
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Felix Mendelssohn was a 19th-century German composer and musician who wrote symphonies, concertos, and other classical works that remain widely performed today. His contributions to Romantic-era music and his versatility as both a composer and performer made him one of the most influential musical figures of his time.
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Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, known as Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847), was a German composer, pianist, organist, and conductor of the early Romantic period. He was born on 3 February 1809 in Hamburg, Germany, into a prominent Jewish family; his grandfather was the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. Recognised as a child prodigy, Mendelssohn’s family encouraged his musical pursuits only after he showed serious dedication to the art. Mendelssohn achieved early success in Germany and later
Quotes
- “A prophet such as we could use again today, strong, zealous, angry and gloomy in opposition to the leaders, the masses, indeed the whole world. (Letter to his pastor Julius Schubring, 1846, regarding Mendelssohn's choral work 'Elijah' published that year)”
- “Ich überhaupt vielseitigkeit nicht recht mag, oder eigentlich nicht recht daran glaube. Was eigenthümlich, und schön, und groß sein soll, das muß einseitig sein.”
- “Und sind Sie mit mir einer Meinung, daß es die erste Bedingung zu einem Künstler sei, daß er Respekt vor dem Großen habe, und sich davor beuge, und es anerkenne, und nicht die großen Flammen auszupusten versuche, damit das kleine Talglicht ein wenig heller leuchte?”
Article
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (3 February 1809 – 4 November 1847), simply known as Felix Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic era. Mendelssohn's compositions include symphonies, concertos, piano music, organ music and chamber music. His best-known works include the String Octet, the overture and incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream (which includes his "Wedding March"), the Italian and Scottish Symphonies, the oratorios St. Paul and Elijah, the Hebrides Overture, the mature Violin Concerto, and the melody used in the Christmas carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words are his most famous solo piano compositions.
Mendelssohn's grandfather was the Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, but Felix was initially raised without religion until he was baptised aged seven into the Reformed Christian church. He was recognised early as a musical prodigy, but his parents were cautious and did not seek to capitalise on his talent. His sister Fanny received a similar musical education and was a talented composer and pianist in her own right; some of her early songs were published under her brother's name and her Easter Sonata was for a time mistakenly attributed to him after being lost and rediscovered in the 1970s.
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1809 births1847 deaths19th-century German classical composers19th-century German classical pianists19th-century German conductors (music)19th-century male pianistsAcademic staff of Leipzig UniversityAcademic staff of the University of Music and Theatre LeipzigBach musiciansBurials at Dreifaltigkeitsfriedhof I, BerlinChild classical musicians