Felix Mendelssohn Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s DreamFelix Mendelssohn11rank/position

Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream

When it comes to wedding music, many people probably think of this piece.

The fanfare at the beginning is incredibly famous.

This piece is one of the incidental music numbers from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, composed by the German composer Felix Mendelssohn.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a play written by William Shakespeare, telling a story woven by aristocratic men and women about to be married and by fairies.

It is characterized by a simple, memorable melody and a bright yet dignified atmosphere.

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HATSUMI

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Songs Without Words, Book I, No. 3, Hunter’s Song, Op. 19Felix Mendelssohn12rank/position

Mendelssohn / Songs Without Words, Book 1, No. 3 “Hunting Song,” Op. 19 / Performance: Kyoko Nakagawa

This piano piece is marked by a powerful, dynamic melody.

Skillfully depicting a hunting scene, it features a brilliant tone reminiscent of horn calls and a refined, delicate rhythm.

Included in the 1832 publication Songs Without Words, Book I, it continues to be cherished by many pianists today.

The excitement and exhilaration of the hunt portrayed in the music will captivate listeners in an instant.

Fully showcasing Felix Mendelssohn’s rich expressive power, this work is perfect for those who enjoy dazzling, energetic performances or wish to experience the piano’s wide expressive range.

Songs Without Words, Book II, Op. 30: No. 6, Venetian Boat Song No. 2Felix Mendelssohn13rank/position

Song Without Words “Venetian Gondola Song, Op. 30 No. 6” by Mendelssohn — Lieder ohne Worte “Venezianisches Gondellied” Mendelssohn

This piece is filled with the charm of Felix Mendelssohn, the great master of the early German Romantic era.

Born in February 1809, Mendelssohn displayed his talent from a young age.

This work is one of his hallmark Songs Without Words, depicting scenes of Venice through music.

Within its gentle 6/8 meter, it skillfully conveys the quiet sway of a gondola and the occasional surges of emotion.

The calm accompaniment in the left hand and the memorable melodic line in the right leave a deep resonance in the listener’s heart.

Though tranquil, the piece carries a touch of poignancy, making it a soul-stirring work you’ll want to listen to alone on a quiet night.

Seven Character Pieces, No. 5 in A major, “Earnestly, with increasing liveliness (Ernst und mit steigender Lebhaftigkeit),” Fugue, MWV U 60Felix Mendelssohn14rank/position

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.

Songs Without Words, Book 8, Op. 102, No. 4, Zephyr (Breeze)Felix Mendelssohn15rank/position

Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words, Book 8 “Rustling Winds,” Op. 102-4, U162, 192, 195, 152, 194, 172 pf. Tomoya Umeda

Among Mendelssohn’s piano collections, the Songs Without Words are particularly famous.

“Breeze” (or “Zephyr”) is the fourth piece in Book 8 and is of roughly intermediate difficulty.

Its neat, beautiful melody tinged with a certain pathos makes it a piece you’ll surely want to try on the piano.

Pay special attention to the balance between the left hand’s broken chords, which rise from the lower to the upper register, and the right hand’s singing main melody.

Take care that the ornamental arpeggios in the right hand are not played with excessive force.

There are a fair number of accidentals, and the piece demands fine attention to details such as smooth slurs and sensitive pedaling.

Aim for a delicate, nuanced performance.

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KOH-1

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Rondo Capriccioso in E major, Op. 14, MWV U 67 No. 1 AndanteFelix Mendelssohn16rank/position

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.

Violin Sonata in F minor, Op. 4Felix Mendelssohn17rank/position

Felix Mendelssohn – Violin Sonata in F minor, Op. 4

Mendelssohn was a German composer.

The Violin Sonata in F minor, Op.

4, was written when Mendelssohn was 14 years old, during the period he was living in Berlin with his family.

The piece is suffused with a graceful atmosphere tinged with sorrow.

Songs Without Words, Book 4, Op. 53 No. 1 “By the Seashore”Felix Mendelssohn18rank/position

Barenboim plays Mendelssohn Songs Without Words Op.53 no.1 in A flat Major

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.

Songs Without Words, Book VII, Op. 85 No. 4 “Elegy”Felix Mendelssohn19rank/position

MENDELSSOHN: Elegy (Op. 85, No. 4)

This Elegy is the fourth piece in Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words, Book 7, Op.

85, published posthumously after his death.

In terms of difficulty, it is about the same level as the well-known Spring Song from the same collection: challenging for complete beginners, but quite manageable for those who have learned basic techniques.

A distinctive feature of this piece is the ornamental sixteenth notes; it is crucial not to play them with the same strength as the main melody, but to treat them as accompaniment—quietly, yet expressively.

Accidentals also appear fairly frequently, so make sure your score reading is solid, and practice slowly and carefully.

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Three Fantasies or Caprices, Op. 16: No. 1 in A minor/A major, MWV U 70Felix Mendelssohn20rank/position

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.