Mendelssohn studied with his mother, an accomplished musician, and in Berlin and Paris. By the age of seventeen he had already produced his famous String Octet and the overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream. In Berlin in 1829, Mendelssohn conducted the first performance of Bach's St Matthew's Passion since Bach's death, which was regarded as one of the most significant musical events of the century. He then travelled extensively throughout Europe. In 1829, he finished his Hebrides Overture, inspired by his time in Scotland, and his Scottish Symphony was dedicated to Queen Victoria, his most ardent fan. His first book of Songs Without Words appeared in 1830 during his time in Venice. On the completion of his "grand tour", Mendelssohn was appointed musical director in Dusseldorf, before becoming the conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestra in 1835. He helped to establish the Leipzig conservatory of music in 1843, and taught there together with his friend, Robert Schumann. His oratorio, Elijah, was performed in 1846 and was very popular. His other works of note include the String Quartet in F minor, the Violin Concerto and the choral work, Lauda Sion. |
