Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, born on February 3, 1809, in Hamburg and died on November 4, 1847, in Leipzig, was a prominent German composer, pianist, and organist of the Romantic era. He came from a respected and wealthy bourgeois Jewish family and was a paternal grandson of the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. His parents were Abraham Mendelssohn, a banker, and Lea, née Salomon, who came from a family of factory owners.
As a musician, Mendelssohn is considered one of the most outstanding figures of the Romantic period and, as a conductor, set standards that continue to resonate today. He was particularly committed to the performance of works by Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach, thereby contributing significantly to their rediscovery. As a co-founder of the historically informed performance movement, he established Germany's first conservatory in Leipzig in 1843.
His musical career was fostered from an early age. A pivotal journey to Paris took place in 1825 at the age of 16, accompanied by his father. There, he submitted himself to the judgment of Luigi Cherubini, a leading authority in the musical world of the time. Cherubini's positive assessment encouraged Abraham Mendelssohn to support his son's musical development. In 1829, he enabled Mendelssohn to embark on an almost three-year educational tour through various European countries, including England, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France.
Mendelssohn's multifaceted oeuvre comprises approximately 750 compositions, created during his relatively short life of only 38 years. From early symphonies and chamber music to orchestral pieces and oratorios, as well as songs, organ, and piano works, he developed a Romantic cosmos through a masterful engagement with his great predecessors. His subtle miniatures, the "Songs Without Words," became particularly well-known. His communicative personality, his social commitment, and his extensive travel and educational experiences are reflected in the diversity of his musical output.