German composer, pianist, organist and conductor. He was the grandson of the Jewish-German philosopher Moses Mendelssohn and son of Abraham Mendelssohn, a banker who had converted to Christianity. Mendelssohn developed his musical talents while still very young. In addition to being a talented musician he was a gifted artist and chess player.

Considering the period in which he lived and worked, he may be seen as a Romantic composer. His major influences were nevertheless Classical, his models being Bach, Handel and Mozart rather than any of his contemporaries. In this respect we should mention the influence of his teacher, Karl Friedrich Zelter, a Bach scholar ahead of his time. Mendelssohn's Romanticism is most evident in the way he drew his inspiration from Romantic literary sources, while his choice of musical forms reflects his Classical inclinations. At the age of 20 he conducted the first performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion since its composer's death. In doing so he became responsible for a true Bach Renaissance. In 1835 he became director of the Gewandhaus Concerts in Leipzig. In the same city he founded a conservatory which was opened in 1843. Mendelssohn was a renowned composer in his day; indeed, he was regarded by some as one of the greatest. Nowadays the general view is somewhat more moderate. The question of whether he was a Romantic or a Classical composer has never really been resolved.

During the anti-semitic Hitler era the monument erected in his honour was demolished. Later years saw a reappraisal of the value of his contribution to Western music. New studies of Mendelssohn's music, as called for by Alfred Einstein as early as 1941, have led to a more balanced appreciation of the composer, his music and his personality.

Biographical notes (c) 1996 Philips Classics Productions

A selection of major works.

Orchestral: 5 Symphonies (No. 2 Song of Praise, No. 3 Scottish, No. 4 Italian, No. 5 Reformation), 2 Piano Concertos, Violin Concerto, Overtures (The Hebrides, Ruy Blas, Meerestille und glückliche Fahrt).

Chamber: Octet for Strings, String Quintets, String Quartets.

Instrumental solo: Lieder ohne Worte, Variations sérieuses, Rondo capriccioso, Organ Sonatas, Preludes and Fugues for Organ.

Choral: Paulus (Oratorio), Elias (Oratorio), Die erste Walpurgisnacht (cantata after Goethe).

Stage works: A Midsummer Night's Dream (overture and incidental music).