Germany

A prominent composer and conductor of the early 19th century, Mendelssohn’s works provide a wonderful amalgamation of Classical and Romantic styling.

The grandson of philosopher Moses Mendelssohn (1729-86), Felix Mendelssohn was afforded a rich artistic and intellectual education during his formative years. Both Felix and his sister, Fanny, traveled extensively within elite European cultural circles (family friends included Goethe, Heine, and Hegel) achieving fame for their virtuosic keyboard skill.

It is, as a result, no surprise that both children showed precocious compositional talent. Felix’s development was nothing short of miraculous, writing his first Singspiel, Die Soldatenliebschaft, at the age of twelve. By seventeen, he had already completed two of his most famous works, his Octet for Strings (1825) and the concert overture to Midsummer Night’s Dream (1826). Even so, Mendelssohn maintained an active interest in other scholarly pursuits and enrolled at the University of Berlin in 1827.

By this time, Felix had taken on the family name Bartholdy. Although Moses had been a vocal Jewish thinker, his son, Felix’s father, Abraham, converted both himself and his family to the Protestant faith. This change was accompanied by the addition of the name Bartholdy, derived from a family owned farm.

In 1829, Mendelssohn participated in two ventures that would dramatically influence his work and reputation. The first of these was the revival of J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, which the twenty year old conducted at the keyboard. Second, was his first trip to England and Scotland, which inspired the composer’s Scottish Symphony, Reformation Symphony, and Hebrides Overture.

Following a brief respite in Berlin, Mendelssohn set out for Italy in 1830. There, he experienced much of the country, audible later in his Italian Symphony. Mendelssohn eventually settled in Düsseldorf, accepting a position as musical director. This position encouraged his interest in “early” sacred works, with Mendelssohn actively attempting to restore the reputations of past masters such as Palestrina, J.S. Bach, Handel, and Haydn. Such exposure also led to the composer’s own interest in oratorio, evident in St. Paul.

In 1835, Mendelssohn left Düsseldorf and relocated to Leipzig where he was employed as the director of the Gewandhaus Orchestra. Over the next twelve years, Mendelssohn presided over the ensemble, molding it into one of the most prestigious in Europe. The result of this renown was a grueling schedule, which had Mendelssohn conducting in London, Birmingham, Frankfurt, and Cologne. 

Mendelssohn did manage to find time for a personal life, however, marrying Cécile Jeanrenaud in 1837. He was also friendly with Robert and Clara Schumann, fellow inhabitants of Leipzig at this time. The association led to another revival, this time of Schubert’s 9th Symphony, discovered by Schumann in Vienna and premiered by the Gewandhaus Orchestra under Mendelssohn’s baton. 

In 1841, Mendelssohn accepted a one-year position in Berlin, a city he described as “one of the most sour apples into which a man can bite.” The following year, he returned to England upon invitation of Queen Victoria. While Mendelssohn entertained the assembled royalty at Buckingham Palace with improvisations on Rule, Britannia!, the queen in turn performed selections of his sister Fanny’s lieder. 

Returning to Leipzig, Mendelssohn played an active role in founding the city’s conservatory in 1843. The next few years were marked by intense travel and the composition, most evident in the Violin Concerto in E minor and Elijah, premiered on 26 August, 1846 in Birmingham. News of Fanny’s death in May 1847, however, devastated Felix. Following a retreat to Switzerland, Mendelssohn suffered a series of strokes and died on 4 November. Dead at the age of 38, his remains were transported to Berlin where he was laid to rest next to his beloved sister.