Autograph Letter Signed in German

MENDELSSOHN, FELIX BARTHOLDY.

16th May

(London)

1844

Grandson of the German-Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn and son of the banker Abraham Mendelssohn and Leah Salomon, the composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was baptized by his parents as a child. His father preferred his son not call himself "Mendelssohn," for he felt an inherent contradiction in a Christian Mendelssohn, demanding that his son instead go by the assumed name "Bartholdy." However, Felix insisted on calling himself "Mendelssohn Bartholdy," as attested to in our letter. This personal communication is datelined "4 Hobart Place." The composer made several journeys to England, where his music was extremely popular. See EJ, Vol. XI, cols. 1326-7