Mendelssohn's violin concerto was inspired by

Ferdinand David

Explanation:

Years after the first Violin Concerto in D minor (1822), dedicated to his teacher Eduard Rietz, Mendelssohn wrote to his friend, violinist Ferdinand David, in 1838: “I would like to write a violin concert for you next winter. I have one in my head, whose beginning is giving me no peace. ”

During the six years leading up to the Violin Concert premiere, Mendelssohn kept a close correspondence with David who technically advised him in many details, somewhat innovatively in terms of the songwriting process.