Romantic · 1820–1900
Felix Mendelssohn
“The Mozart of the Nineteenth Century”
A dazzling prodigy who wrote masterpieces as a teenager, single-handedly revived the forgotten music of Bach, and gave the world its most famous wedding tune.
The Romantic era (1820–1900): Big emotions, bigger orchestras — music about love, nature, nations and stormy hearts.
Amazing facts
- A child prodigy to rival Mozart, he wrote his sparkling Octet at sixteen and the Midsummer Night's Dream overture at seventeen.
- In 1829, aged just twenty, he conducted Bach's St Matthew Passion for the first time in a hundred years — almost single-handedly reviving Bach's reputation.
- His 'Wedding March' from A Midsummer Night's Dream is still played at weddings all over the world.
- His equally gifted sister Fanny was a fine composer too — some of her songs were first published under Felix's name.
- He loved Britain, visited ten times, and a trip to Scotland inspired both his 'Scottish' Symphony and the 'Hebrides' overture about Fingal's Cave.
- He founded the Leipzig Conservatory, then worked himself to exhaustion and died at just 38.
A few pieces to start with
A Midsummer Night's Dream
1826
Overture & incidental music
Shimmering fairy music begun at seventeen — and, added later, the 'Wedding March' now heard at weddings the world over.
The Hebrides (Fingal's Cave)
1830
Concert overture
A musical seascape inspired by a Scottish sea cave — the opening theme rises and falls like the swell of the waves.
Violin Concerto in E minor
1844
Concerto
One of the best-loved of all violin concertos — the soloist sings its unforgettable tune from almost the very first bar.
Life & times — what was happening in the world
1809Born in Hamburg into a wealthy, cultured family.
1815Napoleon is finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.
1825Writes the astonishing Octet for strings at sixteen.
1829Revives Bach's St Matthew Passion and makes his first visit to Britain.
1830The first modern steam railway opens between Liverpool and Manchester.
1837Queen Victoria comes to the British throne.
1839The first photographs astonish the world.
1843Founds the Leipzig Conservatory, one of the first great music colleges.
1844Composes his beloved Violin Concerto in E minor.
1847Dies in Leipzig at 38, only months after his sister Fanny.