Recent scholarship has brought numerous compositions by the excessively self-critical Mendelssohn into print and has ensured more accurate compositional dates for them. Many of these rare and little-known examples are encountered on this album. The title Lieder ohne Worte (‘Songs without Words’) may have mystified some contemporaries but their refinement and beauty are obvious as is their wide emotional range. The two youthful sonatas are astonishingly mature, even in the allusions to Beethoven. Mendelssohn’s humour and quirkiness can also be heard in this vibrant selection of seldom encountered piano pieces.

 

Tracklist

 

Mendelssohn, Felix

 Piano Sonata in F Minor, MWV U23

1 I. Allegro 05:17

2 II. Adagio 05:28

3 III. Presto 03:38

 Piano Sonata in E Minor, MWV U19

4 I. Introduzione: Adagio - Allegro 08:07

5 II. [Andante] 02:15

6 III. Allegro 03:52

 Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in E-Flat Major, MWV U68

7 Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in E-Flat Major, MWV U68 01:52

 Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Book 7, Op. 85: No. 41 in A Major, Op. 85, No. 5, MWV U191 (1847 version)

8 Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Book 7, Op. 85: No. 41 in A Major, Op. 85, No. 5, MWV U191 (1847 version) 01:38

 Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in D Major, MWV U178

9 Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in D Major, MWV U178 02:35

 Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in F Major, MWV U150

10 Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in F Major, MWV U150 02:18

 Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in F-Sharp Minor, MWV U124

11 Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in F-Sharp Minor, MWV U124 02:08

 Allegretto in A Major, MWV U138

12 Allegretto in A Major, MWV U138 02:24

 Andante in A Major, MWV U76

13 Andante in A Major, MWV U76 01:01

 Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Book 1, Op. 19b: No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 19b, No. 2, MWV U80 (1830 version)

14 Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Book 1, Op. 19b: No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 19b, No. 2, MWV U80 (1830 version) 02:11

Mendelssohn, Felix

Todd, R. Larry - Arranger

 Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in E-Flat Major, MWV U82 (completed by R.L. Todd)

15 Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in E-Flat Major, MWV U82 (completed by R.L. Todd) 02:46

Mendelssohn, Felix

 Andante con moto in A Major, MWV U75

16 Andante con moto in A Major, MWV U75 02:02

 Con moto in A Major, MWV U88

17 Con moto in A Major, MWV U88 00:36

 Wie die Zeit läuft! (How Time Flies!), MWV U196

18 Wie die Zeit läuft! (How Time Flies!), MWV U196 01:49

 Übungsbuch bei Zelter, MWV Z1: No. 119. Theme and Variations in D Major

19 Übungsbuch bei Zelter, MWV Z1: No. 119. Theme and Variations in D Major 03:49

 Piano Piece in G Major, MWV U38

20 Piano Piece in G Major, MWV U38 02:15

 Andante in E-Flat Major, MWV U165

21 Andante in E-Flat Major, MWV U165 01:39

 Sostenuto in F Major, MWV U167

22 Sostenuto in F Major, MWV U167 02:14

 Canon in F-Sharp Minor, MWV U163 (1842 version)

23 Canon in F-Sharp Minor, MWV U163 (1842 version) 01:21

 Capriccio in E-Flat Minor, MWV U43

24 Capriccio in E-Flat Minor, MWV U43 10:05

 Allegro in F Major, MWV U174, "Bärentanz" (Bear Dance)

25 Allegro in F Major, MWV U174, "Bärentanz" (Bear Dance) 00:54

 

Total Playing Time: 01:14:14