Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn, full name Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-47). German composer. By the age of 15 he had already written symphonies, operas, and numerous other pieces. His oratorios St Paul and Elijah were especially popular in Britain, which he visited several times. The overture Fingal’s Cave was composed after a visit to Scotland. His other compositions include Songs Without Words for piano, incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Italian Symphony. Mendelssohn was also responsible for the great revival of interest in Bach’s music.