Beginner-friendly: Easily playable Mendelssohn piano pieces. Recommended piano works.
Felix Mendelssohn, a German Romantic composer who was also active as a conductor, pianist, and organist.
While creating numerous masterpieces such as his Violin Concerto and solo piano works, he also worked energetically to revive the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and to found the Leipzig Conservatory, making him a figure who had a profound impact on the musical world of the 19th century.
In this article, we will carefully select and introduce some of Mendelssohn’s piano works that are relatively easy in difficulty.
With steady practice, you’ll surely be able to play them—so read on to the end!
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[Beginner-Friendly] Easy-to-Play Mendelssohn Piano Pieces. Recommended Piano Pieces (1–10)
Songs Without Words, Book III, Op. 38, No. 4: HopeFelix Mendelssohn
This is a charming piece with a calm, approachable melody.
Carefully selected from the album Songs Without Words, it features a graceful tune in A major that resonates deeply.
While tranquil, it carries an air of hope, with the right-hand melody and left-hand accompaniment blending beautifully.
There is little hand crossing, and the score is simple, so with steady, unhurried practice, you will be able to play it confidently.
Published in 1837 and intended for home performance, this work offers a joyful way to practice while refining delicate expressive skills.
Start by firmly grasping the melodic line, then gradually deepen your expression to cultivate a rich musicality.
Songs Without Words, Book 4, Op. 53 No. 1 “By the Seashore”Felix Mendelssohn
A quiet, poetically rich piano piece that evokes the gentle swell of waves and the murmur of a sea breeze.
Written in A-flat major, it was published in 1841 as the first piece of Album ‘Songs Without Words’ Book 4.
Its graceful sound world, woven from transparent harmonies and a beautiful melody, makes you feel as if a seaside landscape is unfolding before your eyes.
Though simple, it demands delicate expressiveness; with slow, careful practice, it can certainly be mastered.
It is an ideal piece for those who wish to practice in a relaxed atmosphere or to refine their expressive skills.
Seven Character Pieces, No. 6 in E minor “Sehnsüchtig (Full of Longing)”, Andante, MWV U 61Felix Mendelssohn
This short piece in E minor unfolds from the very beginning with a beautiful, chant- or song-like melody, delicately portraying a feeling of longing imbued with quiet passion.
Written by Felix Mendelssohn around the age of eighteen, it is notable for its transparent sonorities and subtle shifts in nuance.
The calmly paced melodic line is filled with the expressive richness and poetic quality characteristic of Romantic music, making it one of the most popular numbers in a set of seven short pieces composed around 1827.
Serene in atmosphere yet expressing a poignant ache beneath the surface, this work is recommended for those seeking a piece that can be played at a relaxed tempo, as well as for anyone wishing to experience the allure of Romantic music.
[Easy Level] Mendelssohn Piano Pieces That Are Easy to Play. Recommended Piano Pieces (11–20)
Songs Without Words, Book 4, Op. 53 No. 2 “Floating Clouds”Felix Mendelssohn
While the structure—melody in the right hand and accompaniment in the left—is simple, its flowing lines evoke clouds drifting across the sky, making it a beautiful piece.
Although considered intermediate in difficulty, careful, unhurried practice will certainly make it attainable.
Included in the album Songs Without Words, the work captivates with its graceful atmosphere and poetic expression.
It calls for the rich expressiveness characteristic of the Romantic era and a delicate touch, yet since its publication in 1841 it has remained a beloved classic.
With its gentle melody and rhythm, it’s a calming piece well-suited to home performance.
On Wings of SongFelix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn, a German Romantic composer known for his delicate music—he’s famous for pieces like the Wedding March, of course.
Among Mendelssohn’s works that beginners and intermediate pianists can tackle without too much difficulty, my top recommendation is On Wings of Song.
While it doesn’t have the complexity of pieces by Beethoven or Brahms, it delivers a high level of musical impact, and its blissful melody brings a sense of peace to listeners.
If you’re looking for a beautiful piano piece that’s both accessible to listen to and to play, give this work a try.
Songs Without Words, Book I, Op. 19: No. 2, RegretFelix Mendelssohn
The A minor piece included in Book I of “Lieder ohne Worte” is a work of deeply affecting beauty.
Unfolding at a gentle andante tempo, its melody envelops a tender sadness, while the accompaniment—simple yet effective—conveys profound emotion.
Published in London in 1832, the piece succeeds in expressing feeling through music alone, without words, distilling the allure of the Romantic piano miniature.
Despite appearances, the score is more approachable than it looks; built on simple harmonic progressions, it is definitely playable with slow, careful practice.
It’s a highly recommended piece for those who wish to play with a calm demeanor and an honest, unadorned sensibility.
Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op. 61 (incidental music)Felix Mendelssohn
The works of Felix Mendelssohn, a German composer who represents the early Romantic era, are known for honoring the classical style while embracing the emotions and imagination of Romanticism.
Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op.
61, published in 1842, is especially famous for its Wedding March, which is widely beloved as background music for wedding ceremonies.
The piece is characterized by its brilliant, majestic melody, evoking the joyous cries of fairies and the happiness of lovers.
Why not enjoy this masterpiece—expressing Mendelssohn’s dreamlike world through elegant melody—on the piano as well?