Felix Mendelssohn (MEN-dl-son) composed his famous Wedding March as background music for Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, when he was seventeen. For many years, brides walked down the aisle to the music of Wagner's Bridal Chorus. At the end of the ceremony, after the groom kissed the bride, the happy couple left the church to the music of Mendelssohn's Wedding March. Many brides now choose music other than Wagner and Mendelssohn for their weddings.

Felix came from a prosperous family that nurtured his musical talent. He was born in Hamburg, Germany. His grandfather was Moses Mendelssohn, a famous philosopher. Felix was almost as talented as Mozart. Like Mozart, he could compose music fully formed in his head and then write it down. He also had a wonderful musical memory.

Mendelssohn liked to travel. His favorite foreign country was England and Scotland which he visited ten times. His Symphony Number Three is called the "Scotch" Symphony.

Mendelssohn is responsible for bringing Bach's music to light. Bach had been a famous organist, but he was not widely known outside of Germany in his own lifetime. After his death in 1750, his music was almost forgotten until Felix found it a century later and brought it to the attention of the world. Bach's music has been loved and played around the world ever since.

The Spring Song is one of the most popular pieces that Mendelssohn ever wrote. It is included in a collection of forty-eight pieces called Songs Without Words. They are related to tone poems but shorter. They are described as "an instrumental piece that has the vocal and lyrical character of a song." They are impressions caught in music of great charm and originality.

Mendelssohn composed wonderful symphonies and concertos. He also wrote an oratorio called Elijah. Remember that an oratorio is a musical story with chorus, soloists, and orchestra. It is usually based on the Bible.

Mendelssohn worked very hard. His health began to fail when he was only 35. He was very fond of his sister Fanny, a gifted composer and pianist. When she died unexpectedly, it was a great shock to Felix, and he died a few months later at the age of 38.