Biography and Chief Works of 

Felix Mendelssohn

1809.

Born in Hamburg of Jewish parents.  Father a rich banker, grandfather a famous philosopher.  Moved to Berlin in 1811, where the four children were given an excellent education.  Became Christians.  Fanny (born in 1805) and Felix early showed great musical aptitude. Felix produced many early compositions, played the piano and extemporized.  Regular Sunday morning chamber concerts in own home, when famous musicians came to play with the children.  Visited Goethe, and impressed him.  

1825.

Decided on a musical career, after visiting Cherubini in Paris.  Family moved to a large mansion in Berlin, with a theatre-concert hall in the garden, where even more opportunities of music making were possible.  

By 1825 had composed 3 piano quartets, 3 string quartets, a string quintet and the octet.  

1826.

 A reading of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' resulted in the concert overture of that name, performed in piano duet and orchestral version.

1827.

Went to University, and met more famous people, including German philosophers.  A growing enthusiasm for Bach and Handel.  Stimulated interest in a revival of their works.  Arranged rehearsals of Bach's 'St Matthew Passion' and had it performed in 1829.

1829.

Education completed by a three-year " Grand Tour" of Europe. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'  overture played.  Then Scotland, where conceived 'Hebrides' overture and 'Scotch' symphony.  Then Italy - the 'Italian' symphony. Met Chopin and Liszt in Paris.  Then London again where began 'Songs without Words'.  Wrote delightful letters to Fanny and others, describing his travels.

1833.

Appointed conductor to Lower Rhine Festival at Dűsseldorf. Very efficient.  Began to compose oratorio 'St Paul'.

1835.

Appointed conductor of Gewandhaus concerts in Leipzig, and settled happily there.  Made Leipzig the musical centre of Germany.  Met Schumann and his wife, and Chopin once more.  Brilliant social success.  

Popularized Bach, and performed Schubert's  'Great'  C major symphony.

1837.

Married - had five children.  Another visit to England. 'St Paul' and other works performed at Birmingham.

1841.

King of Prussia, anxious to establish supremacy of Berlin, appointed Mendelssohn his Kapellmeister, with instructions to found a music section of a new Academy of Arts.  But found Berlin musicians uncooperative.  Unhappy.  Divided time between Berlin and Leipzig.

1843.

Another visit to England, where lionized.  Visited Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace.  Inaugurated Leipzig Conservatoire, with Schumann on the staff.  Commissioned by King of Prussia to write incidental music to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.  Began to compose violin concerto.  

1846.

Produced 'Elijah' at Birmingham.  But began to suffer from weariness and depression.

1847.

Sister Fanny died.  Great shock.  Had severe attacks of illness and died in Leipzig.  Universally moumed.  

A gifted, attractive, versatile, wealthy man who received much adulation.  

A classical scholar and an athlete.  

A great conductor and administrator, who popularized Bach and helped to establish great German traditions in music.  

A fine pianist and organist.  

Wrote most interesting and attractive letters.

His music sometimes sentimental and superficial, with trite harmony and phrasing, particularly in piano works and songs.  But a master of the orchestra, and had great contrapuntal skill.  His orchestral and chamber compositions are his best works.  

He was particularly good at writing music of the Scherzo type. A fine sense of detail. Not a dramatic cornposer - shrank from exposing his feelings; and in this sense, he was not a typical romantic.

Orchestral works: 

5 symphonies, including 'Scotch', 'Italian’ and 'Reformation'; 'Concert' overtures to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream’ (with incidental music added 16 years later), 'The Hebrides’, 'Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage’, 'Melusine',  'Ruy Blas'.

1 violin concerto; 2 piano concertos.

Chamber music: 

6 quartets, 2 quintets and octet for strings; 2 piano trios, 3 piano quartets, and 1 piano sextet; 1 violin and 2 ‘cello sonatas.

Many piano works, some slight, such as the 48 ' Songs without Words'; others Of more importance, such as the 'Variations Serieuses', the 6 Preludes and fugues, and the 'Andante and Rondo Capriccioso'.

Organ music, including 6 sonatas and 3 preludes and fugues.

Many songs, mostly sentimental and of little value.  'On the wings of Song’ the best known.  Also vocal duets and unaccompanied part-songs.

Sacred music: a number of anthems, including 'Hear my Prayer"; 'The Hymn of Praise, (a symphonic cantata); and 'Lauda Sion' (a cantata); oratorios, 'St Paul' and 'Elijah.'