Felix Mendelssohn
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Born / died
1809-1847
Movement
Romantic
Location
Born in Hamburg
Friends / contemporaries
Bedrich Smetana, Charles-Valentin Alkan, Franz Liszt +3 more
Far from the troubled, coarse libertine that has become an archetype of the Romantic composer, Felix Mendelssohn was something of an anomaly among his contemporaries.Spotify
His own situation -- largely one of domestic tranquility and unhindered career fulfillment -- stands in stark contrast to the personal Sturm und Drang familiar to his peers. Mendelssohn was the only musical prodigy of the 19th century whose stature could rival that of Mozart.Spotify
Still, his parents resisted any entrepreneurial impulses and spared young Felix the strange, grueling lifestyle that was the lot of many child prodigies. He and his sister Fanny were given piano lessons, and he also studied violin, and both joined the Berlin Singakademie. Carl Friedrich Zelter, director of the Singakademie, became Mendelssohn's first composition instructor.Spotify
Even in his youth, Mendelssohn moved with natural grace among the circles of influence in society, politics, literature, and art. Although he did spend some time at the University of Berlin, most of his education was received through friendships and travel. Mendelssohn's advocacy was the single most important factor in the revival of Bach's vocal music in the 19th century, most famously realized in the 1829 performance of the St.Spotify
Matthew Passion at the Berlin Singakadamie. He did some touring as a pianist with Ignaz Moscheles, then took the position of music director in Düsseldorf from 1833 to 1835, which involved conducting both the choral and orchestral societies, preparing music for church services and later, becoming intendant for the new theatre. Tension with the theater owner caused him to resign some of his duties, and he began looking for a new post.Spotify
In 1835, Mendelssohn became municipal music director in Leipzig, where he would also conduct the Gewandhaus Orchestra. He would raise the level of the still-thriving ensemble to a new standard of excellence. In 1838, he married Cécile Jeanrenaud, enjoying an idyllic marriage and family life that were quite unlike the stormy romantic entanglements that profoundly affected such composers as Berlioz, Chopin, and Liszt.Spotify
He was in demand as a conductor and spent some time as royal composer and music director in Berlin, but remained committed to musical life in Leipzig. He was even able to establish a new conservatory in the city, which is still a well-respected institution. Mendelssohn was a true Renaissance man.Spotify
A talented visual artist, he was a refined connoisseur of literature and philosophy. While his name rarely arises in discussions of the 19th century vanguard, the intrinsic importance of his music is undeniable. A distinct personality emerges at once in its exceptional formal sophistication, its singular melodic sense, and its colorful, masterful deployment of the instrumental forces at hand.Spotify
A true apotheosis of life, Mendelssohn's music absolutely overflows with energy, ebullience, drama, and invention, as evidenced in his most enduring works: the incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream (1826-1842); the Hebrides Overture (1830); the Songs Without Words (1830-1845); the Symphonies No. 3 (1841-1842) and No. 4 (1833); and the Violin Concerto in E minor (1844).Spotify
While the sunny disposition of so many of Mendelssohn's works has led some to view the composer as possessing great talent but little depth, his religious compositions -- particularly the great oratorios Paulus (1836) and Elijah (1846) -- reflect the complexity and deeply spiritual basis of his personality.Spotify
~ Rovi Staff, Rovi
role: composer · 65%instrument: conductorera: Romanticmovement: Romantic1809–1847
Movement
Romantic · Wikipedia
Romantic music is a stylistic movement in Western Classical music associated with the period of the 19th century commonly referred to as the Romantic era. It is closely related to the broader concept of Romanticism—the intellectual, artistic, and literary movement that became prominent in Western culture from about 1798 until 1837.
How this movement sounds
rubatochromatic harmonybig climaxesricher timbrelong lyrical linesnarrative feel
Romantic listening cues: heightened emotion, longer lyrical melodies, and more freedom with rubato (flexible timing) in performance.
Harmony is often more chromatic, with colorful chords and side-steps that create tension and release over longer spans. You may hear more delayed resolutions and more 'yearning' harmonic motion.
Dynamics and texture often expand: thicker sonorities, bigger climaxes, and a strong sense of narrative or character (even in purely instrumental music).
In piano music, listen for the use of pedaling and resonance to create a halo around harmony; in orchestral music, listen for richer timbre and denser voicing (inner lines matter).
A useful trick: follow the bass line. In Romantic music it often shapes the drama, pulling the harmony through longer arcs rather than short phrase punctuation.
How Felix Mendelssohn sounds
rubatorich harmonylong melodybig dynamicscoloristic pedal
Romantic music tends to foreground emotion and color: long singing melodies, flexible tempo (rubato), and harmony that stretches and sighs.
You often hear thicker textures, wider dynamic range, and a more "orchestral" use of the piano with deep bass and resonant pedaling.
Look for heightened contrast and personal voice: the same musical gesture can feel intimate one moment and heroic the next.
Wikipedia
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.Wikipedia
Mendelssohn's compositions include symphonies, concertos, piano music, organ music and chamber music. His best-known works include the String Octet, the overture and incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream (which includes his "Wedding March"), the Italian and Scottish Symphonies, the oratorios St.Wikipedia
Paul and Elijah, the Hebrides Overture, the mature Violin Concerto, and the melody used in the Christmas carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words are his most famous solo piano compositions.Wikipedia
Mendelssohn's grandfather was the Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, but Felix was initially raised without religion until he was baptised aged seven into the Reformed Christian church. He was recognised early as a musical prodigy, but his parents were cautious and did not seek to capitalise on his talent. His sister Fanny received a similar musical education and was a talented composer and pianist in her own right; some of her early songs were published under her brother's name and her Easter Sonata was for a time mistakenly attributed to him after being lost and rediscovered in the 1970s.Wikipedia
Mendelssohn enjoyed early success in Germany, and revived interest in the…Wikipedia
Interview highlights
Built from indexed interview/masterclass transcripts (podcasts / YouTube). Quotes are direct excerpts with source links.
Interview highlights for Felix Mendelssohn from 6 sources. Quotes below are direct excerpts; open the source link for context.
Topics that recur (auto): Music, Mendelson, Then, Musical, Time, Works, Work, Piano.
Source: youtube_captions · RTPwStmlhNU · 4:05 · published 2014-10-20 · Open source
Source: youtube_captions · i1-8-uzYNGk · 1:21 · published 2024-02-13 · Open source
Source: youtube_captions · FkCNnVndGtg · 0:29 · published 2019-08-12 · Open source
Source: youtube_captions · 94cnJy9lASw · 0:22 · published 2018-07-31 · Open source
Source: youtube_captions · QGALNwCzEYY · 7:40 · published 2019-03-21 · Open source
Source: youtube_captions · ZuOEuNLxPy8 · 17:42 · published 2020-03-12 · Open source
Transcript sources (7)
Study resources & scores
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Local matches
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France Musique · published 2026-04-06
Thomas Hengelbrock dirige l'Orchestre de Chambre de Paris dans un programme Bach, Frank Martin & Mendelssohn
2026
FreeFull concert
Play videoYouTube · published 2026-02-06 · 1h 37m
Leonkoro Quartet | Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn and Webern - Live from Wigmore Hall
2026Quartet1h 37m
FreeFull concertLongLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2025-11-30 · 43m
The Scottish Symphony by Felix Mendelssohn
2025Symphony43m
FreeLongLive
Play videoWigmore Hall · published 2025-05-17 · 29m
Leonkoro Quartet | Felix Mendelssohn - String Quartet No. 4 in E minor Op. 44 No. 2
2025QuartetOp.29m
FreeLongLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2024-05-28 · 34m
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) - Octet, Op. 20 - All-Stradivari instrument performance
2024Op.34m
FreeLongLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2024-05-27 · 34m
Felix Mendelssohn - Symphony No 3, op. 56. Olari Elts, ERSO
2024SymphonyOp.34m
FreeLongLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2023-05-30 · 2h 19m
Oratorium Elias, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy - Chöre der Auferstehungskirche Essen - Live (25.09.22)
20232h 19m
FreeFull concertLongLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2023-05-30 · 21m
Felix Mendelssohn: String Symphony No. 12 in G minor
FreeLongLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2023-05-18 · 29m
Felix Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 4 “Italian” | Boulder Chamber Orchestra | Full Performance
FreeLongLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2021-05-30 · 11m
Felix Mendelssohn: String Symphony No. 10 / Borrani · Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
FreeLive
Play videoWigmore Hall · published 2021-05-18 · 12m
Elisabeth Brauss - Felix Mendelssohn, Variations sérieuses in D minor Op. 54
2021Op.12m
FreeLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2021-05-07 · 22m
Felix Mendelssohn - Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No 3 in E Minor
2021Concerto22m
FreeLongLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2015-06-01 · 42m
Felix Mendelssohn Double Concerto for Violin,Piano and String Orchestra in d moll
2015Concerto42m
FreeLongLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2015-06-01 · 27m
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Piano Sextet in D Major, Op 110 Live YouTube
201527m
FreeLongLive
Play videoYouTube · published 2015-05-22 · 28m
FELIX MENDELSSOHN - Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 - Shlomo Mintz/Israel Symphony/Zubin Mehta
2015ConcertoSymphonyOp.28m
FreeLongLive
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