The Master & his Music... Mendelssohn

Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847)

Known generally as Felix Mendelssohn (February 3, 1809 – November 4, 1847) was a German composer of Jewish parentage of the early Romantic period. His work includes symphonies, concertos, oratorios, piano and chamber music. After a long period of relative denigration, his creative originality is now being recognised and re-evaluated, and he is now amongst the most popular composers of the Romantic era. From his childhood reputation as gifted musical prodigy, Felix Mendelssohn matured to become a masterful composer who, despite his relatively short life, ranks among the great composers of the first half of the Nineteenth Century.

Mendelssohn was truly fortunate to have been born in Hamburg, on February 3, 1809, as the son of Lea Salomon and Abraham Mendelssohn, a wealthy banker. He was the grandson of Rabbi and philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, one of the most prominent Jewish thinkers of the late Eighteenth Century. Having been born into a family of art-loving intellectuals, Mendelssohn's parents provided the ideal cultural environment for nurturing the artistic talent of such a precocious child. In addition to receiving an excellent education, Mendelssohn and his family traveled extensively around Europe, which proved to be a considerable influence on Felix.

Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream

Song Without Words Op. 16 No. 6 - Venetian Boat Song No. 1

Song Without Words Op. 53 No. 5 - Folk Song

Song Without Words Op. 67 No. 4 - Spinning Song (or Bee's Wedding)

Song Without Words Op. 85 No. 2 - The Adieu

Song Without Words Op. 102 No. 6 - Faith

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