Music · Literature · Art · 1809–1847
Born: 3 February 1809 · Died: 4 November 1847 · Age at death: 38
Felix Mendelssohn died aged 38. He was born on 3 February 1809 and died on 4 November 1847.
German Romantic composer of the Italian Symphony, the Violin Concerto and A Midsummer Night's Dream with its Wedding March
Did you know?He is credited with reviving interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach after conducting a performance of the St Matthew Passion.
Felix Mendelssohn was one of the greatest child prodigies in music history. He wrote his brilliant String Octet at just 16 and the overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream a year later. His music is elegant, lively and full of melody. At 20 he conducted Bach's St Matthew Passion, starting a Bach revival that changed musical taste. He led the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and founded the city's conservatory. Queen Victoria was among his admirers. He died at 38, months after the death of his beloved sister Fanny. His Wedding March is still heard at weddings everywhere.
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (3 February 1809 – 4 November 1847), simply known as Felix Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic era. Mendelssohn's compositions include symphonies, concertos, piano music, organ music and chamber music.
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Profile
German composer, 1809–1847
Felix Mendelssohn was born in Hamburg on 3 February 1809.
He wrote the Octet at 16.
He conducted Bach's St Matthew Passion in 1829.
He founded the Leipzig Conservatory.
Career highlights
Did you know?His Wedding March is played at countless weddings.
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