Felix Mendelssohn is known for having shown exceptional musical talent as a child prodigy from an early age.He was an important composer who had an extremely significant impact on the 19th-century music world, including reviving the music of Bach.His music is romantic and evokes majestic scenes of nature.Here is a ranking of some of his most popular pieces.
Six Pieces for Children, Op. 72 No. 2Felix Mendelssohn23rank/position
Mendelssohn: Six Children's Pieces, Op. 72 – No. 2 in E-flat major, Piano. Rintaro Akamatsu (Pf.)
Alongside the Songs Without Words, Mendelssohn’s Six Pieces for Children are among his more approachable works and are perfect as practice material.
The piece introduced here is No.
2; though short, its refined and graceful melody is delightful to play.
The left hand is basically an arpeggiated accompaniment, so it’s important to make the right-hand main theme clear.
Since accidentals appear regularly, be sure to read the score carefully, and rather than playing mechanically, follow the indicated dynamics to shape an expressive performance.
6 Pieces for Children, Op. 72 No. 3Felix Mendelssohn24rank/position
Mendelssohn: 6 Kinderstücke Op. 72: III. Allegretto, MWV U 164
Without needing to master difficult techniques, Mendelssohn’s piano miniatures “Six Children’s Pieces, Op.
72” let you savor the graceful beauty of Romantic music.
The third piece in the set, in addition to its beauty, conveys a charming, playful lightness that evokes children at play—a fresh and bright work.
Be sure to clearly differentiate the flowing, beautiful legato passages from the buoyant staccatos and repeated dotted rhythms, aiming for a performance with vivid contrast.
Herbstlied, No. 4 – Sechs Lieder-Duette, Op. 63 – Mendelssohn
Among the works of Felix Mendelssohn, a composer who represents the German Romantic movement of the 19th century, the piece known as a symbol of autumn is “Herbstlied” (Autumn Song).
Published in 1844, this song sets a poem by the poet Karl Klingemann to music, portraying the transience of life through the shifting scenes of autumn while singing of the eternity of love and hope.
Its melody, tinged with quiet melancholy yet imbued with hope, perfectly suits an autumn evening.
Showcasing Mendelssohn’s delicate sensibility, this work is recommended for those who wish to reflect on life while feeling the arrival of autumn.
“On Wings of Song” from “Six Songs”Felix Mendelssohn28rank/position
List: 7 Songs (Mendelssohn) On Wings of Song pf. Kana Onda
A work arranged by Liszt from No.
2 of Mendelssohn’s song cycle “Six Songs.” The text of this song is based on a poem from Heinrich Heine’s 1827 collection “Book of Songs,” and its romantic content sings of taking one’s beloved to India—a distant Eastern land then thought of as a fairy-tale realm.
While preserving the gentle, song-like atmosphere of the original, it also bears Liszt’s signature brilliance and beautiful sonorities, making for a single piece that is both elegant and evocative.
