In this excerpt from Darren Henley’s More Famous Composers collection, young listeners are introduced to 19th-century German musical prodigy Felix Mendelssohn, whose contributions to the Western musical canon have cemented him as one of the great composers of the Romantic era.

Narrator Marin Alsop has a friendly, jovial voice, which transforms this straightforward overview of Mendelssohn’s life and accomplishments into a fun and intimate educational experience. Alsop’s performance is complemented by selections from the musician’s life works, which are sprinkled sporadically throughout the audiobook.