Mendelssohn, Felix (1809 - 49), German composer, born Hamburg, grandson of Moses M. (q.v.). He was baptized and educated as a Christian, his father adding the surname Bartholdy to the family name. His youth was spent in the refined surroundings of a family of very considerable wealth, culture and brilliant social connection. He benefited by the tuition and advice of Berger, Zelter, Weber, Cherubini and Moscheles, and by the time he was 20 had already produced his famous Octet, 3 piano quartets, 2 sonatas, 2 symphonies and the Midsummer Night's Dream overture, besides a host of songs, an opera and many short pieces.

The next few years were passed in visiting London, Munich, Vienna and Rome, and in incidental tours in Scotland, Italy and Switzerland (1829-31), he achieved a wide fame as pianist, composer and conductor. The first of his 10 visits to England took place in 1829. The Hebrides (fingal's Cave) overture was composed in 1830 (revised 1832). In 1835 he became conductor of the celebrated Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestra, and 2 years later married Cecile Jeanrenaud at Frankfurt. He conducted his oratorio St Paul at Dusseldorf in 1836 and Elijah at Birmingham in 1846.

Persistent overwork and an excess of activities undermined his health: he died in Leipzig. His reputation, extravagantly high in his lifetime, is now sustained mainly by his violin Concerto, 1844, the incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream (particularly the overture), the Scottish and Italian symphonies and the Hebrides overture. Elijah is still popular with choral societies, but the chamber music and piano works (examples of impeccable craftsmanship, like all Mendelssohn's music) appeal to a more limited circle.

Last Updated on 29th September 2003/I>
By Reg