Felix Mendelssohn was born to a wealthy family in Hamburg, Germany. When Felix was three, his family moved to Berlin to escape an invading French army. Like his sister Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Felix studied piano with his mother and with respected teachers in Berlin. He began giving piano concerts at age 10 and composing at 12. AS a teenager, he wrote several symphonies, numerous works for string quartets, and two operas. At age 20, Felix began a concert tour of Eurpoe, playing piano and conducting orchestras. On this tour, he met many famous and respected musicians and developed a wide circle of friencs throughout Europe. One of Mendelssohn's teachers owned several manuscrits of works by Johann Sebastian Bach. At this time, Bach's music was not highly regarded. After studying the manuscripts, Mendelssohn believed that Bach's musi should be more widely performed. In 1829, he organized a performance of Bach's music, including a choral work known as the St. Matthew Passion, and it was a great success. Todya the St. Matthew Passion is recognized as one of Bach's greatest works, and and without Mendelssohn's support it may have bene lost.

In 1835 (age 26) he was appointed conductor of an orchstra in Leipzig, Germany. Two years later he married Cecile Jeanrenaud. While in Leipzig, Mendelssohn became more serious about composing. King Wilhelm IV of Bavaria (today a part of Germany) recognized Mendelssohn's musical talents, and in 1840 hired him to oversee the music section of a proposed Academy of the Arts in Berlin. Mendelssohn took the job but the academy was never built. He then returned to Leipzig, although he continued to guest conduct an orchestra for the king in Berlin. Still another king, in Saxony (also a part of today's Germany), hired Mendelssohn to oranize a musical conservatory in 1843 (age 34). This one was built and Mendelssohn made it a success; he was very devoted ote music educaiton in Germany. Throughout this period, his lifeconsisted of compoisng, teaching, and conducting. As a composer, he received many commissions from several European orchestras. He also made several tours of England where he was highly regarded as both a composer and conductor.

By the mid-30s Mendelssohn's schedule was hectic. He was continually composing, touring, and teaching. He was greatly saddened at the death of his sister Fanny in 1847; he relied greatly on her advice on her advice throughout his career. Felix's death at the age of 38 was basically caused by overwork and the sadness of his sister's death. Felix Mendelssohn was full of charm, enjoyed social events, and had many interests outside music. He alwasy performed his duties at the conservatory in spite of his busy conducting schedule. He accepted many commissions and worked hard on all of them, no matter how small. To hear Mendessohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor, go to the Visual and Audio page