Felix Mendelssohn
The German composer, pianist and conductor Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy was born in Hamburg on 3 February 1809. A grandson of philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, Felix was born into a rich family which renounced the Jewish faith and converted to Christianity. His sister Fanny Mendelssohn also became a well-known pianist and composer.
He took piano lessons with his mother, Lea Salomon, at the age of six, and studied in Paris with Marie Bigot when he was seven. At eight he studied composition in Berlin with Carl Friedrich Zelter, who introduced him to Goethe. Later he studied with Ignaz Moscheles.
His life as a composer began early - between the ages of twelve and fourteen he wrote twelve string symphonies, and his first symphony for full orchestra at the age of fifteen. He studied aesthetics, history and geography at Berlin University, and then made the first of his ten visits to Britain, resulting in friendships, meeting royalty, and the composition of Fingal's Cave (the Hebrides Overture) and the Scottish Symphony.
He was appointed conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra in 1835, and he was able to improve the musical life of the city, founding the Leipzig Conservatoire with colleagues Moscheles and Robert Schumann.
His private life was conventional and conservative - he married in 1837, had five children and took up watercolour painting.
Mendelssohn died in Leipzig on 4 November 1847, aged 38, leaving a portfolio of chamber music, concertos, oratorios, piano music and symphonies which have given him much popularity and fame.
A selection of articles about Felix Mendelssohn
Ensemble. Deeply Satisfying - Mike Wheeler enjoys Leon McCawley's Nottingham recital of Beethoven, Rachmaninov, J S Bach transcribed by Liszt, and Mendelssohn
Ensemble. Unusually Memorable - Ron Bierman was in the audience for Mendelssohn, Bruch and Tchaikovsky from Paul Huang and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antonio Méndez
Resounding Echoes by Robert McCarney - Play it again, Tom
Spotlight. Musical Siblings - Gerald Fenech heartily recommends Isata Kanneh-Mason's new Mendelssohn album. 'An enchanting album, sensitively performed and sumptuously recorded ...'
Ensemble. An Almost Physical Impact - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Brahms, Chopin, Butterworth and Elgar from Stephen Hough, Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra
Ensemble. 'De-Screening' - Jeffrey Neil investigates the marvellous score for the 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz'
Spotlight. A Romantic Piano Master - Esdras Mugatik listens to Shura Cherkassky. '... a magical capacity to differentiate levels of sound ...'
Spotlight. Inspired and Joyous Choral Singing - Gerald Fenech strongly recommends choral music by Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn. '... stirring music from beginning to end from, maybe, the most famous siblings in nineteenth century musical history.'
Ensemble. Mercurial Switches of Mood - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Mendelssohn, Liszt, Beethoven and J S Bach/Myra Hess played by Japanese pianist Yu Kosuge
Ensemble. An Outstanding Concert - Ron Bierman listens to chamber music by Haydn, Ravel, Mendelssohn and Dvořák from Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Lisa Batiashvili and Gautier Capuçon
Ensemble. An Uncanny Cool and Relaxed Demeanour - Malcolm Miller is impressed by the London recital of young Chinese-Canadian pianist Kevin Chen
Ensemble. Another Case of Mendelssohn's Influence? - Mike Wheeler listens to Verdi and Borodin from the Victoria String Quartet at the Buxton Festival
Classical music news. Obituary - André Watts (1946-2023)
CD Spotlight. Depth of Feeling and Maturity - Geoff Pearce is impressed by Christian Li's new album for Decca Classics. '... assured technique, passion, agility and grace ...'
CD Spotlight. In a Class of its Own - Recordings of Clara and Robert Schumann's piano concertos impress Gerald Fenech. 'Beatrice Rana's magical playing is complimented by incisive support from Yannick Nézet-Séguin and his Chamber Orchestra of Europe ...'
Ensemble. Complete Assurance - A delectable recital by Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. An Extraordinary Journey - Mike Wheeler listens to Charles Owen's piano recital at the 2022 Buxton Festival
Ensemble. Commemorating Malcolm Goldring - The Sitwell Singers pay tribute to their former conductor, with help from various friends and colleagues, including a new work written for the occasion by Bob Chilcott, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Dance or Die - Gerald Fenech enjoys a disc exploring the influence of Italy on Austrian and German composers. '... performances full of rhythmic energy, explosive colours and, above all, harmonic ingenuity.'
CD Spotlight. Vivacious Performances - Music from Scotland, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a spectacular album full of inspirational melodies that go straight to the heart.'
Ensemble. Sheer Naked Energy - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Mendelssohn and Beethoven from Nicola Benedetti, Tom Service, Nicholas Collon and Aurora Orchestra
Ensemble. Intimacy and Intensity - Ian Bostridge and Imogen Cooper at the Oxford Lieder Festival impress Patrick Maxwell
CD Spotlight. Teenage Years - Mendelssohn's String Symphonies, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Performances are energetic and inspiring throughout, with a touch of crispness consistently at the centre of things.'
CD Spotlight. An Exquisite Compilation - A selection of popular orchestral music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Spiritedly performed and superbly recorded ...'
Ensemble. Particularly Striking - Mike Wheeler listens to the Richard Roddis Singers, performing for the first time in over two years
Ensemble. Three Days in Ravenna - Giuseppe Pennisi samples Northern Italy's high profile and wide-ranging arts festival
CD Spotlight. Sensitive and Thoughtful - More Christmas music from Clifton Cathedral, heard by Keith Bramich. '... this 1997 choir has a crisper sound than its 1987 vintage, and the ensemble is neater.'
CD Spotlight. Lifting the Spirits - Reformation music, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Five hundred years of memorable music condensed into just seventy-one minutes and performed spectacularly by Jared Stellmacher and Mark Sudeith, sympathetically supported by the Chicago Gargoyle Brass and Organ Ensemble.'
CD Spotlight. Dazzling Virtuosity - Mendelssohn concertos from the Stankov Ensemble and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, highly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Exceptionally beautiful music, sparklingly performed, sumptuously recorded, with a very insightful essay thrown in for good measure.'
CD Spotlight. Exquisite Pacing - Gerald Fenech listens to Mendelssohn's String Symphonies. 'Michi Gaigg and his Baroque Orchestra deliver performances full of charm and beauty ...'
Ensemble. Much to Enjoy - Christmas with the Sitwell Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Lieder with Harp - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on a world tour by Diana Damrau and Xavier de Maistre
Ensemble. On the High and Open Sea - Giuseppe Pennisi samples Italy's 2019 Ravenna Summer Festival
Ensemble. Colour and Energy - An uppity chicken, a cuckoo and much more ... Stravinsky, J S Bach, Respighi and Mendelssohn from Maddy Aldis-Evans, Benedict Holland, Frank Zielhorst and Sinfonia Viva impress Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Safety-first Programme - Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn and Dvorák from Alexander Gavrylyuk, Karl-Heinz Steffens and the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
You spotted snakes - George Colerick muses on incidental music, with particular regard to Mendelssohn
Border Crossings - Mike Wheeler listens to Andy von Oppenkowski's recital as part of the Derby Cathedral organ series
Ensemble. Highly Promising Talent - Katie Gilbert, Esther Beard and Edward Leung at Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Aural Perspective - A visit from Osnabrück by the Marienkantorei, for Elgar, Rheinberger and Mendelssohn, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Puppyish Ebullience - Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Mendelssohn, Ravel, Dushkin, Bob Marley, Coleridge-Taylor and Monti from the Kanneh-Mason Trio, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Lucid Sound-world - Mendelssohn, Brahms and Beethoven from Viviane Hagner, Karina Canellakis and the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Seemingly Interminable - German lieder from Wilhelm Pfeiffer, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... to hear this fine music performed with consummate artistry and fidelity to these composers' wishes I can only suggest you look elsewhere.'
CD Spotlight. A Mixed Bag - French horn music for Christmas, enjoyed by Gerald Fenech. 'All praise to the consummate artistry and unstinted support of all those involved, as without them this magical project could not have come to fruition.'
CD Spotlight. Joy and Wonder - Merton College Oxford's new Christmas CD, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'The singing is not only exquisite but has that sense of magic and glory that instills in one's spirit a genuine feeling of hope for a true fraternal love among all men.'
Ensemble. Impish Undercurrents - Prokofiev, Hummel, Sibelius and Mendelssohn from Clare Hammond, Sinfonia Viva and Duncan Ward, found irresistible by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Expressive Presence - Mendelssohn, Mozart, Judith Weir and Beethoven from Derby Concert Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. A Committed Recital - Enrique Graf plays Bach, Mendelssohn and Mussorgsky, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... bold exhilaration and striking poetry.'
CD Spotlight. Reformation Cantatas - Commemorating a historic anniversary, reviewed by Gerald Fenech. 'Superb performances, coupled with some excellent sound and scholarly annotations complete a disc brimming with historical appeal.'
Historical Spread - Michael Overbury's Derby Cathedral organ recital impresses Mike Wheeler
A Welcome Return - Jennifer Bate plays the Derby Cathedral organ, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Puckish Effervesence - A piano recital by Stephen Hough, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... music from the sublime to the Antipodean.'
Ensemble. Full-blooded Performance - Mendelssohn's 'Elijah' from Derby Choral Union and Richard Dacey, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Engagingly Clear-eyed - Mahler, Mendelssohn and Vaughan Williams from Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Listening with Fresh Ears - A little-known version of the 'Italian Symphony' plus other music by Mendelssohn and Berlioz, from Sarah Connolly, Kati Debretzeni and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, intrigues Malcolm Miller
Ensemble. Dancing Vigour - Percussionists Owen Gunnell and Oliver Cox, appreciated by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Translucent Artistry - Vocal duets by Schumann, Mendelssohn and Cornelius, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'The two soloists exude immaculate performances full of smooth, silky singing, where every nuance behind each word and note is brought to light ...'
Ensemble. Death and the Maiden - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to Patricia Kopatchcinskaja and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Ensemble. Vividly Projected - The Sitwell Singers' fiftieth anniversary concert, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Very Pleasing - J S Bach, Haydn and Mendelssohn keyboard concertos, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... beautifully played ...'
Ensemble. The Treasured Crown - Roderic Dunnett reports in depth on last month's Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester
Ensemble. Magical Stillness - The Elias Quartet plays at Buxton, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Refined Phrasing - Gemma Lois Summerfield and Sebastian Whybrew at Buxton impress Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Terrific Intensity - Robert King's 'Israel in Egypt', recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... the version to have ...'
Ensemble. Very Special - Christmas music in Rome impresses Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Alert Realisations - Christmas music from The Sitwell Singers, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Well Served - Mike Wheeler listens to Joo Yeon Sir and Irina Andrievsky
Ensemble. To the glory of St John Paul II - Giuseppe Pennisi samples The Vatican's recent festival of sacred music and art
Memorable Distinction - Halida Dinova brings her Liszt to New Zealand, by Howard Smith
Ensemble. Freshness and Vitality - Mike Wheeler listens to the Czech Philharmonic
Ensemble. Viscerally Exciting - Mendelssohn, Pärt, Mozart and Beethoven from Samuel Jacobs, Sinfonia Viva and Duncan Ward, all impresses Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Vigour and Freshness - Clarinettist Julian Bliss joins Andrew Gourlay and Sinfonia Viva, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Not Often Fugal - Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn from the Petrof Trio, heard by Robert Anderson. '... the Tchaikovsky is a rarity, and the more welcome for that.'
Ensemble. Barnstorming Mendelssohn - Mike Wheeler listens to the Aquinas Piano Trio
Ensemble. Expressive Power - Brahms in an early music context, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Top-Notch - The Dobson organ at Merton College, praised by Gerald Fenech
CD Spotlight. Very Refreshing - Vocalensemble Lalá, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... always musical and beautifully under control.'
Ensemble. Consummate Professionalism - Nigel Ogden begins Derby Cathedral's series of summer organ recitals, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Scruff-of-the-neck Treatment - Sibelius and Mendelssohn from Nottingham Harmonic Choir, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Deep Expression - Mozart, Mendelssohn and Elgar from the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Suzanne Torrey
Ensemble. Tonal Refinement - Christmas music from Derby Concert Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Delicious Buzzing - A new departure for Derby's Assembly Rooms, appreciated by Mike Wheeler
Buzzy Textures - Clare Hammond plays in Nottingham, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Suave and Polished - Mike Wheeler discovers the Heath Quartet
CD Spotlight. Matchless Virtuosity - Mendelssohn and Schumann violin concertos, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... Barton Pine's heartfelt response to both slow movements is full of tonal beauty ...'
Ensemble. Highest Accolades - Gerald Fenech enjoys his visit to Festival Maribor in Slovenia
CD Spotlight. In Perfect Balance - Mendelssohn from Laura Buruiana and Ferenc Vizi impresses Andrew Schartmann. 'Their playing is musical to the very core and their technique flawless.'
Fire and Energy - Peter Gould provides a compelling end to Derby Cathedral's summer organ series, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Household Rituals - Contemporary and modern music at Aix-en-Provence, heard by Giuseppe Pennisi
Admirable Clarity - Andrew Kirk at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Triumphant Climax - Five organists at two organs open this year's series of Derby Cathedral organ recitals, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Bursting with Vitality - Mendelssohn and Beethoven from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra thrilled Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Gallic Sheen - Christmas choral music from Arsys Bourgogne, heard by Keith Bramich. '... a well-recommended stocking-filler ...'
Ensemble. A Natural Stage Presence - Guild Music's concert to celebrate the launch of two new CDs, reviewed by Alice McVeigh
Ensemble. Exquisitely Floated - Soprano Catrin Woodruff joins the Derby Concert Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Reaching Out - Mendelssohn, Mozart, Berlioz and Ravel from James Feddeck and the Cleveland Orchestra, heard by Suzanne Torrey
CD Spotlight. Beauty and Power - Australian soprano Nance Grant, heard by Howard Smith. '... an exceptional voice seldom heard beyond local shores.'
Ensemble. The Finest of Them All - The 2012 Hereford Three Choirs Festival, reviewed by Roderic Dunnett
Spell-Binding - A recital by organist Steven Grahl, heard by Mike Wheeler
Nicely Paced - Martyn Rawles at the organ of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Great Conviction - Mendelssohn, Mozart and Vivaldi from Derby Choral Union, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Most Remarkable - Jamaican pianist Orrett Rhoden, heard by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Different Idioms - Clarinet music by Brahms, Mendelssohn and Schumann, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Emma Johnson and John Lenehan make a fine partnership ...'
Ensemble. Superb Playing - Bill Newman listens to a selection of instrumental chamber music in London
CD Spotlight. Instant Enjoyment - Mendelssohn string symphonies and concertos, heard by Robert Anderson. '... scintillating brilliance ...'
Ensemble. Sublime Music-making - Kurt Masur conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra, heard by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Energy and Fire - 'Close Encounters with Music' from Scottsdale, heard by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Lilting Charm - Bill Newman listens to the Danish String Quartet
Ensemble. A Balanced Exploration - Mike Wheeler listens to Ensemble Viva play Schumann, Mendelssohn and Beethoven
CD Spotlight. A Fascinating Coupling - Mendelssohn and Franck quartets, heard by Robert Anderson. '... strenuous and compelling ...'
A Firm Grasp - Peter Litman plays the organs of Derby Cathedral, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ever Responsive - Two recitals by Alberto Portugheis impress Malcolm Miller
CD Spotlight. Often Spectacular - The American String Project, seen and heard by Patric Standford. 'The performers are undoubtedly superb ...'
CD Spotlight. Unaffected Restraint - Halida Dinova plays music that tells stories, heard by Howard Smith. '... a mesmerising interpreter ...'
CD Spotlight. Vibrant Music - Mendelssohn Trio and Sonatas, heard by Robert Anderson. '... ready skill and deft handling ...'
CD Spotlight. Positively Spellbinding - Music for clarinet, piano and cello, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... a fine recording ...'
Ensemble. Unmissable Talents - An array of artists at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman
CD Spotlight. Meant to Last - J S Bach cello suites, enjoyed by George Balcombe. '... brilliance and beauty ...'
Ensemble. Truly Miraculous - The Emerson Quartet, heard by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Searing Eloquence - A centenary performance of Elgar's Violin Concerto, heard by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. Glowing Performance - The Sitwell Singers begin a new season, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Flying Colours - A piano recital by Theresia Renelt, appreciated by Mary Isaac
Ensemble. Bravura Performance - A piano recital by Anthony Hughes, heard by Mary Isaac
CD Spotlight. Striking Originality - Piano music by Moscheles, Mendelssohn and Schumann, heard by Robert Anderson. '...Todd Crow deserves unstinted gratitude.'
Ensemble. Performance to Cherish - Lawrence Budmen submits a further report from the Tanglewood Festival 2010
Ensemble. Celebrating in Style - Derby Concert Orchestra's sixtieth birthday, with Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. A Forthright Approach - J S Bach's St Matthew Passion, recommended by Howard Smith. '... the Ex Cathedra performance is a triumph.'
Ensemble. Vividly Characterised - Mike Wheeler listens to the Sitwell Singers
World-ranking Pianism - Malcolm Troup marvels anew at the artistry of Julian Jacobson
Ensemble. Invigorating Performance - Sinfonia Viva plays Judith Weir, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Imagination and Strength - Celebrating the Mendelssohn anniversary at Mannes College, reported by Anna L Franco
CD Spotlight. Irresistible Enjoyment - Music by Mozart and Mendelssohn, heard by Howard Smith. '... a truly idiomatic performance ...'
CD Spotlight. Utterly Absorbing - A sampler from Cedille Records, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... top quality standards.'
CD Spotlight. Sacrificing the 'unmodern' - Music by Julius Röntgen and Per Nørgård, heard by George Balcombe. 'How could any audience resist ... ?'
Ensemble. Intensity of Playing - Robert Hugill was at the start of Endymion's 30th birthday celebrations
Ensemble. A Deft Touch - Mendelssohn and Kurt Weill from Sinfonia Viva, with no complaints from Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Declamatory Eloquence - Mendelssohn, Haydn and Shostakovich from the Navarra Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Consistently Solid - Kurt Masur and others conduct Mendelssohn, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... too often short on graciousness, charm or buoyancy.'
An Unexpected Treasure - Jeanette Hanscome talks to author Helen Martens about her new book 'Felix Mendelssohn: Out of the Depths of His Heart'
Ensemble. Inspired Vision - Mendelssohn's 'Elijah', reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
The bonsai sequoia - Jennifer Paull tells the story of Felix Mendelssohn, on the anniversary of the composer's death