| Born into a privileged family, Mendelsohn
was able to develop his talents from an early age. He was
an immensely successful musician, always in demand as a conductor,
teacher and performer. As
a performer he revived public interest in Bach, who had been
somewhat neglected.
His compositions range from symphonies, orchestral music,
concertos and overtures.
Mendelsohn also composed for the stage. One of his best is
his rendition of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's
Dream'. Mendelsohn also wrote psalms, cantatas and
carols for catholic and protestant church services.
Mendelsohn was actually born in Hamburg, but the whole family
moved to Berlin in 1812. Already as a child, Mendelsohn was
a sought after performer. As an adolescent, the intellectual
elite of Berlin visited his home to listen to his play. Felix
Mendelsohn attended the Berlin university. In 1835, he moved
to Leipzig for professional reasons. He foundet the Leipzig
conservatory and stayed there until he died in 1847.
|
