Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, shortened usually to Felix Mendelssohn, was a German composer born in 1809. He was a child prodigy excelling in painting, music, athletics and poetry. Mendelssohn’s paintings are quite lovely and Emily highly recommends checking them out. He also played a vital role in revitalizing Bach’s music across Europe, most of which had been forgotten. Dying at the young age of thirty-eight, Mendelssohn is quoted for his hope that, “[death is a place] where it is to be hoped that there is still music, but no more sorrows or parting.”

This sonata is particularly interesting as it was composed when Mendelssohn was only fourteen years old. Though autographed on February 14, 1824, this work would not be published until much later in 1966.