Our composer of the month is Felix Mendelssohn. He was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the Romantic era. Here are 10 interesting facts about him:
1. Mendelssohn was a child prodigy. He began composing at age 11 and gave his first public performance at age 9.
2. He was born into a prominent Jewish family but was baptised into the Lutheran faith at age 7.
3. Mendelssohn is perhaps best known for his composition "Wedding March," which is a popular choice for wedding ceremonies.
4. He founded the Leipzig Conservatory of Music, which became a leading institution for musical education in Germany.
5. Mendelssohn was a close friend of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert. He often visited them at their estate in Scotland and even composed music specifically for them.
6. One of his most famous works is his "Violin Concerto in E minor," which is widely regarded as one of the greatest violin concertos of all time.
7. Mendelssohn was a polyglot, fluent in German, English, French, and Italian.
8. He was a skilled artist and produced many beautiful watercolors, which he often used to illustrate his letters and travel journals.
9. Mendelssohn suffered from poor health throughout his life and died of a stroke at the age of 38.
10. Mendelssohn's music was a major influence on later composers such as Brahms and Tchaikovsky, and his legacy continues to inspire musicians and music lovers today.
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