Composers Corner: Felix Mendelssohn

Felix Mendelssohn (February 3, 1809 - November 4, 1847) was born in Hamburg, Germany but his family moved to Berlin when he was still little. He came from a wealthy family and received an excellent education. His parents encouraged the artistic talents of their four children. Instead of going to school, private teachers came to the house to teach them subjects. They all learned to play the piano and violin. Although all of the children were very smart, Felix and his older sister Fanny were especially talented at music and art.
Mendelssohn loved to travel as an adult. He went to Italy, Scotland, England, Austria, Switzerland, and France.

The places he traveled to inspired him to write beautiful music, such as the "Hebrides Overture", and the Italian and Scottish symphonies (Symphony No. 3 and Symphony No. 4). He would often start composing parts of works while he was traveling and then finish them once he returned home.

During his trips, Mendelssohn met important musicians, such as Chopin, Lizst, and Paganini, as well as the king and queen of England. He was very popular in London where the audiences loved his brilliant music. He returned there often and called it his second home. Mendelssohn also spent many years in Germany. He conducted Leipzig's orchestra and started a new music school to train professional musicians. He also often conducted works by young talented composers.