Mendelssohn’s Masterpieces | Popular Classical Music

Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66Felix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn – Piano trio n°2 – Oistrakh / Knushevitsky / Oborin

Like the First Piano Trio, this piece is suffused with melancholy.

It isn’t as well known as the First and is performed less often, but if you listen closely, you’ll find it deeply rewarding.

From the passionate first movement—which begins quietly, then swells like an emotional river and builds in tension—to the finale of the fourth movement, clear and radiant like a spotless sky, it is a work of great depth.

This is a somewhat old recording from 1948.

Please enjoy the performance by the legendary violinist David Oistrakh, with Sviatoslav Knushevitsky on cello and Lev Oborin at the piano.

Oistrakh visited Japan in 1955 and caused a sensation; though it’s a lesser-known novel, Yasushi Inoue’s “The Black Butterfly” was inspired by Oistrakh’s visit.

Duration: 29 minutes.

Songs Without Words, Book V, Op. 62 No. 5, No. 3: “Venetian Boat Song”Felix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn: Venetian Boat Song No. 3 [04_Dark and Sad Sheet Music with Commentary – Classical Piano Piece]

This is a piece from Felix Mendelssohn’s celebrated collection of piano miniatures, the masterpiece “Lieder ohne Worte” Op.

62.

The 6/8 accompaniment in the left hand deftly depicts a gondola gliding along the canals of Venice, while the right hand sings a melody like a plaintive song echoing over the water.

Its appeal lies in the way it conveys a poised dignity and elegance within sorrow, rather than being merely dark.

Published in 1844, this set is dedicated to Clara Schumann.

It is recommended for those times when you don’t want to force yourself to feel cheerful, but instead wish to surrender to this beautiful melody and savor the sensation of quietly sinking into the depths of your heart.

Three Fantasies or Caprices, Op. 16: No. 1 in A minor/A major, MWV U 70Felix Mendelssohn

Three Fantasias, or Caprices, Op. 16 No. 1 in A minor

This is an emotionally rich piano miniature written in the summer of 1829.

It features an introspective melody that begins Andante and a lively Allegro vivace section that leaves a strong impression.

The opening calls for lyrical, elegant expression, while the middle section unfolds with vibrant, brilliant passages full of momentum.

With its classical structure beautifully balanced by Romantic sensibilities, and its melodic appeal, the piece is both approachable and comfortable to play.

With steady practice it is a work you can certainly master, making it a recommended choice for piano enthusiasts.

Seven Character Pieces, No. 5 in A major, “Earnestly, with increasing liveliness (Ernst und mit steigender Lebhaftigkeit),” Fugue, MWV U 60Felix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn: 7 Charakterstücke, Op. 7, No. 5 in A Major, MWV U 60 (Roberto Prosseda)

Written in A major, this piece is a gentle, soothing work included in the album “Seven Character Pieces.” While it begins with a sincere atmosphere, its structure gradually gains vitality, evoking the warmth of a rising sun.

Composed in 1827, it is a refined work in which an elegant melody and skillful construction are in harmony.

Although it adopts the form of a fugue, its soft expression avoids any sense of stiffness.

The development, like small waves swelling into a large surge, naturally captures the listener’s heart.

Technically, there are few difficult passages, and with slow, steady practice, one can truly appreciate the beauty of the music.

Seven Character Pieces, No. 6 in E minor “Sehnsüchtig (Full of Longing)”, Andante, MWV U 61Felix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn: 7 Charakterstücke, Op. 7, No. 6 in E Minor, MWV U 61 (Roberto Prosseda)

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.

Rondo Capriccioso in E major, Op. 14, MWV U 67 No. 1 AndanteFelix Mendelssohn

Rondo capriccioso in E Major, Op. 14, MWV U67: Andante

Beginning with an elegant and lyrical Andante and unfolding into a light, delicate Presto, this work by Mendelssohn is a masterpiece whose original form was created when he was just fifteen.

In the Andante, a clear, beautiful melody is sung out, offering an approachable charm reminiscent of a Song Without Words.

The Presto brims with lively, airy passages, evoking an atmosphere as if spirits were dancing.

The piece is also accessible in terms of difficulty: its simple structure and beautiful melodies make it ideal for those new to classical music.

If you start practicing at a slow tempo, it becomes a wonderful work through which you can steadily feel your progress.

Variations in E-flat major, Op. 82, MWV U 158 — Theme: Andante assai espressivoFelix Mendelssohn

Variations in E-Flat Major, Op. 82, MWV U158: Theme. Andante assai espressivo

An elegant set of variations consisting of a theme and five variations.

Composed in July 1841, it bears the typical characteristics of the Romantic era while overflowing with profound emotional expression and delicate musicality.

The theme begins with a calm, expressively rich melody, followed by an ornamental first variation, a second variation characterized by harmonic changes, a lively third variation, and a quiet fourth variation.

In the fifth variation, the theme reappears, bringing the piece to a close with a beautiful afterglow.

With its approachable melody and a level of difficulty that can certainly be mastered through careful practice, this work is recommended for those who wish to explore Mendelssohn’s world or take on Romantic piano repertoire.