Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

Our composer for this term is Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). He was a German musician, composer and conductor of the Romantic period. Like Mozart, he was considered a child prodigy. His body of work was influenced by his travels: he wrote a Scottish symphony and an Italian Symphony, each inspired by his visit there. He also composed an overture for the Shakespearean play,  A Midsummer Night's Dream (1826). The Scherzo from Midsummer Night's Dream can be heard above. Mendelssohn was Jewish and for a period of time was under-appreciated due to feelings of anti-semitism but he is now considered one of the most popular composers of his ear.