Born:
February 3, 1809, his parents were Abraham Mendelssohn and Leah Salomon. His father was a banker.
Birthplace:
Hamburg, Germany
Died:
November 4, 1847 after suffering from a stroke. He was buried in Berlin.
Also Known As:
Prolific composer of the Romantic period, Mozart of the 19th century, piano and violin
virtuoso, maestro, founder of the Leipzig Conservatory, brother of Fanny Mendelssohn and grandson of the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn.
Type of Compositions:
Aside from his compositions for the piano, he also wrote
symphonies,
operas, vocal works, choral and organ works.
Influence:
His piano teacher Ludwig Berger and Karl. F. Zelter who taught him about composition. He also made friends with a German poet named Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He was also inspired by the works of William Shakespeare.
Notable Works:
Some of his most notable work are: Octet for Strings in E flat major, Op. 20, A Midsummer Night's Dream Opus 21, Hebrides Overture, Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us, Italian Symphony and Wedding March.
Interesting Fact:
Felix Mendelssohn came from a well-to-do family and was very close to them. He composed his "Octet for Strings in E flat major, Op. 20" when he was just 16 years old.
Music Sample:
Wedding March
