German composer, pianist, musical conductor, and teacher, one of the most celebrated figures of the early Romantic period. In his music, Mendelssohn largely observed Classical models and practices while initiating key aspects of Romanticism. His exposure to Bach led to a fondness for learned counterpoint as well as to his conducting the St. Matthew Passion in 1829 – an immensely influential performance that took Bach out of the exclusive hands of specialists and into a more general public consciousness. Among his most famous works are Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Italian Symphony, a violin concerto, two piano concertos,