Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) was a German composer, conductor, and pianist whose music combines classical elegance with Romantic warmth and melodic charm. A child prodigy, Mendelssohn composed masterpieces such as the Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the age of 17, and later added the famous Wedding March to that incidental music. His contributions include the Italian and Scottish Symphonies, the Violin Concerto in E minor, and the Songs Without Words for solo piano. Mendelssohn also played a crucial role in reviving interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, organizing a landmark performance of the St. Matthew Passion in 1829. He was admired in his time for his refinement and clarity, but his music fell somewhat out of favor in the 20th century due to shifting aesthetic values—only to be rediscovered as a cornerstone of the classical canon. His untimely death at age 38 cut short a brilliant career, but his music continues to captivate with its grace and heartfelt sincerity.

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