Songs Without Words

Under the title Songs Without Words eight booklets, each with six short, lyrical piano pieces by the Romantic composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy published. The research assumes that this title is a natural Mendelssohn's creation.

The eight collections

Issue 1 ( Op. 19 composed about 1829-30 ) was initially Melodies for the Piano Forte (London 1830); the other hand, wore No. 2 ( Op. 30, composed about 1833-34 ) the title Songs Without Words already in the first edition ( Bonn, 1835). Published within the next decade, Issue 3 ( Op. 38, composed about 1836-37 ), No. 4 ( Op. 53, composed about 1839-41 ), No. 5 ( Op. 62, composed about 1842-44 ) and No. 6 ( Op. 67, composed about 1843-45 ), until several years after Mendelssohn's death issue 7 ( Op. 85, composed about 1834-45 ) and No. 8 ( Op. 102, composed about 1842-45 ).

Only five of the pieces bear individual original title:

  • Venetian Gondola Song in G minor, Op. 19 No. 6
  • Venetian Gondola Song in F sharp minor Op. 30 No. 6
  • Duetto A flat major Op. 38 No. 6
  • Folk song in A minor Op. 53 No. 5
  • Venetian Gondola Song in A minor, Op. 62 No. 5

The following common names do not come from the composer:

  • Jägerlied A Major Op. 19 No. 3
  • Funeral March in E Minor Op. 62 No. 3
  • Spring Song in A major Op. 62 No. 6
  • Spinning Song C Major Op. 67 No. 4
  • Children's play A- flat major Op. 102 No. 5

Musical characteristics

Mendelssohn linked in most of his songs without words singable melodies with continuous accompanying figurations; less frequently are choral phrases. Contrasting center parts, as they are typical of the character piece of the 19th century, are missing. Often, the accompaniment starts before the melody begins. Addition, there are " songs " with short, cadential preludes and sequels, but also pieces in which the melody is heard from the beginning. The elaborate figurations back numerous compositions in the vicinity of virtuoso concert etudes.

Other works

In Mendelssohn's works, there are several songs not recorded in the collections without Words for piano as well as a song without words for cello and piano. Several other composers, including Tchaikovsky and Schoenberg, took Mendelssohn's title for his own works (English song without words, French chanson / chant / romance sans paroles ).

Swell

  • Work by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
  • Piano music
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