A classicist to the core, this composer helped reintroduce his contemporary German public to Bach's towering St. Matthew Passion. In addition to conducting and performing, Mendelssohn also helped usher in the era of the short symphonic drama, or tone poem. When combined with his mastery of earlier traditions, Mendelssohn's early Romantic desire to keep audiences entertained resulted in ever-popular works like the Violin Concerto in E Minor, which retains its appeal for audiences and virtuoso players alike.