Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy was a German-Jewish composer and musician of the early Romantic period.
Mendelssohn was recognised as a child prodigy by his family, but they were careful to not capitalise on his talent. By the many figures around Mendelssohn, he was described to be uninhibited, cheerful, comfortable, and even extraordinarily merry when it came to friends, but somewhat reserved towards others. He could easily either praise or criticize young, striving artists about their achievements despite his conservative musical ideas. He was always sincere with his approval or admiration.
Mendelssohn achieved many musical endeavours, shaping music history. He revived Bach’s « St. Matthew Passion », evolved conducting, composed many beautiful miniatures « Lieder ohne Worte » and wrote the incidental music to ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, amongst other things.
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy died remarkably young, on 4 November 1847, at the age of 38, after a series of strokes likely to be caused by overwork.
