Felix Mendelssohn

A German composer and conductor, whose brief life resulted in many great works, Felix Mendelssohn wrote songs, sonatas, cantatas, organ works, concertos, and symphonies. His first masterpiece, the overture to "A Midsummer Night's Dream," was produced when he was only 17. His symphonies and incidental music are remarkable in that someone so young composed them. Mendelssohn is also responsible for the revival of interest in Bach's vocal and choral music by having performed the St. Matthew Passion in Berlin in 1829.