Mendelssohn’s Masterpieces | Popular Classical Music

Glory in the highestFelix Mendelssohn

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

A Christmas carol with lyrics by Charles Wesley and music by Felix Mendelssohn, known as one of the four great English hymns.

Its original form is the Festgesang, a cantata for male chorus and orchestra composed for the 400th anniversary celebration of the invention of printing.

The lyrics introduce Christ and offer words of praise to Him—perfect for Christmas.

A romantically inclined recommended way to listen is to hear it in a church at Christmastime while contemplating Christ.

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Six Pieces for Children (Christmas Album), Op. 72: No. 1 in G major, Allegro non troppo, MWV U 171Felix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn: Six Children’s Pieces, Op. 72, U171, G major, Pf. Rintaro Akamatsu

For Mendelssohn pieces suitable for children and easy for beginners, “Songs Without Words” and “Six Children’s Pieces” are the go-to collections.

As the title suggests, “Six Children’s Pieces” is a standard set for young learners; with a Sonatina-level difficulty, it’s approachable and also recommended for adults who are starting piano and want to try playing Romantic-era music.

This article features the first piece from “Six Children’s Pieces,” notable for its elegant waltz rhythm and frequent use of staccato.

It’s a short work of about one minute, with few accidentals, and as long as you have basic technique, it should be well within reach for early-level players.

Keep the staccato light and crisp, and be careful not to use too much force.

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On Wings of SongFelix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn: On Wings of Song [Naxos Classical Curation #Fantasy]

On Wings of Song is an art song composed by Felix Mendelssohn, a composer of the German Romantic era, set to a poem by Christian Johann Heinrich Heine, the German poet famous for Lorelei.

Owing to the beauty of its melody, it is now also performed as violin and piano pieces.

Songs Without Words, Book I, Op. 19, No. 1: Sweet RemembranceFelix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn – Songs without Words Op. 19 No. 1 (Gortler)

The smoothly flowing sixteenth-note accompaniment and the graceful melody are truly lyrical and pleasant.

This piece, “Sweet Remembrance,” is one of the songs from Felix Mendelssohn’s famous piano collection Songs Without Words.

While it may be less well known compared to something like the famous “Spring Song,” it’s a work that highlights Mendelssohn’s superb melodic sensibility, and it’s definitely one you’ll want to try performing beautifully on the piano.

There are no complex developments, and the overall structure is simple, so a pianist around the intermediate level should be able to play it.

Start by practicing at a slower tempo and making sure you learn the indicated markings thoroughly; rather than playing mechanically, aim for an emotional performance that brings out the piece’s delicate themes.

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Songs Without Words, Book I, Op. 19, No. 6: Venetian Boat Song No. 1Felix Mendelssohn

Jan Lisiecki – Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 19: No. 6 in G Minor, “Venetian Gondola Song”

Did you know that it was Mendelssohn who is said to have been among the first in the classical field to incorporate the “barcarolle,” modeled after the songs gondoliers were said to hum on the waters of Venice? His Songs Without Words contains three Venetian Gondola Songs, with No.

3 being the most famous.

This time, however, following the theme of pieces that are relatively easy to play, I’ll introduce Venetian Gondola Song No.

1 from Book I of Songs Without Words.

In the characteristic 6/8 meter of a barcarolle, the left-hand accompaniment beautifully evokes the motion of a gondola rocking on the waves.

There are no complex techniques, and simply following the notes is not difficult, but getting comfortable with the 6/8 rhythm is crucial.

Try to feel it in two beats rather than six, and while the left-hand accompaniment is steady, avoid making it too mechanical—play while imagining the gondola’s movement, as mentioned earlier.

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Songs Without Words, Book II, Op. 30, No. 3, ConsolationFelix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words, Book II “Consolation,” Op. 30 No. 3, pf. Seiko Seki

Although Songs Without Words is relatively easy and often used as practice material for children, the level of difficulty does vary somewhat across its 48 pieces.

This Consolation from Book II, Op.

30 is likely among the easiest, making it an ideal choice for your first foray into the collection.

While the piece does not have a complex structure, be sure to pay close attention to slurs and dynamic markings as you play.

It tends to be a rather subdued work and can easily be rendered too plainly, but if you keep a calm, unhurried tempo—without letting it become too slow—and add clear, thoughtful expression in key spots, you’ll be able to bring out the music’s refined beauty.

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Songs Without Words, Book II, Op. 30, No. 6: Venetian Boat SongFelix Mendelssohn

From 'Songs Without Words' — Venetian Gondola Song, Op. 30 No. 6 / Mendelssohn

This is a piece included in Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words.

Mendelssohn is said to have been fond of the wistful melodies sung by Venetian gondoliers, and the gently undulating waves and the accompanying motion of the boat are expressed through a relaxed, flowing melody.