Felix Mendelssohn

3 February 1809 – 4 November 1847

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the early Romantic period. A child prodigy, he wrote enduring works including the Octet, the overture and incidental music to A Midsummer Night's Dream, the Violin Concerto, and the oratorio Elijah, and he led the influential revival of J.S. Bach's music.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Felix Mendelssohn.

Life events

Born in Hamburg
3 February 1809

Mendelssohn was born into a prominent Jewish family in Hamburg, the grandson of philosopher Moses Mendelssohn; the family later converted to Christianity.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Family moved to Berlin
1811

The Mendelssohn family fled Hamburg during the French occupation and settled in Berlin, where Felix received his education.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Composed the String Octet in E-flat major at age 16
1825

Mendelssohn wrote his Octet, Op. 20, widely regarded as one of the greatest works ever composed by a teenager.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Composed the overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream
1826

At 17, Mendelssohn composed his concert overture inspired by Shakespeare's play, to which he added incidental music in 1842.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Conducted the revival of Bach's St Matthew Passion
11 March 1829

Mendelssohn conducted the first performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion since the composer's death, sparking the 19th-century Bach revival.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
1835

Mendelssohn became music director of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, raising it to one of Europe's finest ensembles.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Cécile Jeanrenaud
28 March 1837

Mendelssohn married Cécile Jeanrenaud, the daughter of a French Reformed Church clergyman, in Frankfurt; the couple had five children.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Founded the Leipzig Conservatory
2 April 1843

Mendelssohn founded and directed the Leipzig Conservatory, which became one of Europe's leading music schools.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Premiered the oratorio Elijah in Birmingham
26 August 1846

Mendelssohn conducted the triumphant premiere of his oratorio Elijah at the Birmingham Festival in England.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Leipzig at age 38
4 November 1847

Mendelssohn died after a series of strokes, months after the death of his beloved sister Fanny.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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