MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY, JACOB LUDWIG FELIX. - Musician, born in Hamburg on 3 February 1809, died in Leipzig on 4 November 1847. From his mother he learned the first elements of music, the study of which he subsequently continued in Berlin, and at the age of 15 he had his first symphony performed. He visited Italy and wrote there some of his finest music, also forming friendships with eminent masters. He travelled extensively in France, England, and Germany. Having settled in Leipzig, he became director of the concerts at the Gewandhaus and founder of the Musical Conservatory.
The music of M., a faithful echo of his lyrical temperament and of his life as a refined and highly sensitive artist, embraces every genre: overtures, symphonies, Lieder, motets, psalms, concertos, oratorios—a whole succession of genuine masterpieces. In the oratorios one perceives the manner of Haydn; nevertheless, St. Paul (op. 36) stands out for the warm poetic inspiration that pervades it, uncommon in other compositions of the genre, at a time when Rossini and Meyerbeer were triumphant, whereas Elijah (op. 70) is more dramatic and cast in strong colours. Of another oratorio, Christus (op. 97), only highly interesting fragments remain, which heralded another masterpiece left unfinished by the death of the composer.