Happy Birthday, Mr. Mendelssohn!

Born on this day exactly 200 years ago, Felix Mendelssohn was a genius and child prodigy who performed his first piano concert at the age of nine and wrote 12 symphonies in only two years, between the ages of 12 and 14. And you thought you were smart just because you could write in cursive before any of the other third-graders.

Like another celebrated musical prodigy, W. A. Mozart, Mendelssohn experienced tremendous success at a young age (despite the rampant anti-Semitism present in Europe at the time), died at an equally young age (he was only 38 when he suffered a series of strokes brought on by his workaholic ways) and remains an enduringly popular figure to this day. Mendelssohn was one of the great composers and performers of the Romantic era, his music rich with the intricate melodies, strong harmonies, vivid expression and bold, almost operatic qualities that defined the early Romantic period. And although he might be best remembered for penning the perennial nuptial favorite "Wedding March," we prefer to listen to his upbeat Italian Symphony and his lush, moving Violin Concerto in E Minor.

This evening at 5:30 p.m., students at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music will be performing a chamber music program in celebration of what would be Mendelssohn's 200th birthday. Pieces performed will include the Piano Trio in D Minor, Opus 49 and the Piano Trio in C Minor, Opus 66. You can enjoy the concert for free at the Duncan Recital Hall, located on Rice's campus in the Alice Pratt Brown Hall.

Chamber Music Recital Featuring the Works of Felix Mendelssohn
Admission: Free!
Date and Time: February 3rd, 5:30 p.m.
Location: Rice University, Duncan Recital Hall