Felix MendelssohnBartholody
b. Hamburg, Feb 3, 1809
d. Leipzig, Nov. 4, 1847
Biography
The great German composer Felix Mendelssohn received his first musical
training at his mother's knee. Later, he studied piano and violin with the
illustrious Zelter. Zelter was an instrumental figure in Mendelssohn¹s life.
He introduced him to Goethe in 1821, and in 1819 he arranged for Mendelssohn
to join the Singakademie as an alto.
Mendelssohn's auspicious career began early. His first public performance
was at age nine; the first public performance of his own work, his 19th
Psalm, was at age ten. In 1836, while still quite young, Mendelssohn was
given the directorship of the Gewandhaus Orchestrain Leipzig. This quickly
became the most prestigious orchestra in Germany. Just five years later
Mendelssohn was invited to the court of King Wilhelm IV as the Royal General
Music Director. As this position allowed him to remain in Leipzig, he
returned home and began working on a music conservatory which opened April
3, 1843.
Mendelssohn's music represents the first major German contribution to solo
organ literature since J.S.Bach. In fact, Mendelssohn was instrumental in
reviving the playing of Bach's works. He continually looked to old forms
and techniques, interpreting them with Romantic expressiveness. His sudden
and early death shocked the musical world.
Points of Interest
- Mendelssohn's full name was Jacob Ludwig Felix MendelssohnBartholdy. The
Bartholody was added when the Jewish Mendelssohn family converted to
Christianity.
- He married Cécile Charlotte Sophie Jeanrehaud of Frankfurt. They had five
childrenthree boys and two girls.
- In 1836 he was awarded an honorary Doctorate from the University of
Leipzig.
- Mendelssohn visited England frequently. Queen Vicotoria loved his music.
It was at the wedding of the Princess Royal in 1858 that Mendelssohn's
Wedding March from "A Midsummer’s Night Dream" was first used.
- Felix was very close to his sister, Fanny, an accomplished musician in her
own right. She died just six months before Felix.
Works
- 6 Organ Sonatas
- 3 Preludes and Fugues