Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) is one of the most beloved composers from the “Romantic Era” in classical music. The reasons for his popularity are many, but can be explained by the unmediated charm of his musical language. One of the great melodists, Mendelssohn had the rare ability to produce unforgettable tunes that make a mark on the listener, along with real compositional and orchestration talent. A child prodigy, he composed from an early age and was well equipped as a pianist and conductor, making a name for himself in both fields – As the chief conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra (1835–1847) and as a sought-after performer of other composers’ as well as his own compositions.
An avid traveler, especially in his youth, Mendelssohn was extremely popular in Britain, and gave some historic performances in this country, including debut performances of works by Beethoven and others, and of course of his own orchestral and chamber works.
Other than his long-lasting contribution as a composer, Mendelssohn is also credited for reviving the works of another Leipzig giant – Johann Sebastian Bach. Through family archives, he had access to some of Bach’s greatest works, and so he was the first to perform the St. Matthew Passion in Germany well after Bach’s works went into oblivion, and continued to rediscover other Bach pieces to the European audience. As a result of these efforts, many of Mendelssohn’s own compositions are undeniably influenced by the greats of the past, especially in his usage of contrapuntal techniques and the adoption of baroque and classical era forms.
Mendelssohn wasn’t a revolutionary romantic and felt more comfortable with contemporaries such as Schumann and Chopin than with the brashness of Richard Wagner or Hector Berlioz.
Here are 10 pieces which represent a good place to start if one wants to get familiar with Mendelssohn’s music. Our recordings recommendations are also intended for the beginner listener and represent the best version listeners can get familiar with the piece.
