Chopin Music Forum

Amnesia · Moderato(r)

Mendelssohn... a name which is not very often heard these days. What do you think of him? What are your favorite pieces? I would like to learn some of his work.. what would be a good piece to start with?

Thanks for the help

Debussy · Chopin Music's Casanova

I really do enjoy his Venetian Boat Song and I have played it before; it's a tad bit complicated, but very fun. I can also swear I heard it in like a Mafioso style movie once.

I also like the Wedding March, however, I've not gotten a chance to play it yet.

Philip Daniel · Moderato(r)

I absolutely adore Mendelssohn's work....from the early string symphonies and his youthful E Minor Fugue, Octet, & Overture to a Midsummer's Night Dream to his oratorios St Paulus & Elijah & the Reformation Symphony. His natural ability in the creation of beautiful cantabile melodies and light, almost transparent textures manifested itself early in his youth. Apart from Pergolesi, Mozart, Chopin, & Saint-Saens, he was the greatest youthful prodigy in music. His mastery of contrapuntal techniques and learnedness in all fields of music lent his later work great power and significance. Only Chopin & Berlioz were his equals in polyphonic skill during his generation. His underlying sense of formal structure never fails him; in other words, his sense of form was never defective. Indeed, he was one of the most talented musicians of his generation, surpassing even Liszt in terms of intellect.

virtuoso_735 · Registered User

I love Mendlessohn's music as well, on a par with Schumann and Brahms. I believe these three make the greatest of the romantic composers that wrote a wide range of music. Mendelssohn's piano music is interesting, though not the most innovative. The Rondo Cappricioso is melodic, fleeting, volatile, and virtuostic. The Songs without words are mainly short, beautiful pieces. Quite a few of them are accessible to beginning and intermediate pianists.

PianistSk8er · Infatuated Artiste

I've actually played quite a bit of his works, my favorite works would have to be the three Preludes in Op. 104, Part 1. I really don't know why, but I just love these pieces. I've also played a few slower pieces from him, and he is a very sensational and emotional composer.

PianistSk8er

beethoven · Moderato(r)

He deserves more recognition. After all, he was the most celebrated child prodigy after Mozart. I love all his symphonies, and SWW. And ofcourse, no one can not like Rondo Copriccioso.

Comme_le_Vent · Permanently Banned

by far the greatest music ive heard of his is the e minor Violin concerto

the 1st mvt is the greatest movement from any (non-piano) concerto IMO

virtuoso_735 · Registered User

I like the E minor violin concerto a lot as well. It's quite beautiful and furious at some sections.

Scriabinist · Registered User

Variations SÃ©rieuses is one of my favourite Romantic works in the variation form. The only symphony of his is the "Italian" one, which I didn't like very much. But I guess the other ones are supposed to be better.

Comme_le_Vent · Permanently Banned

the scottish has more fury

WinterWind_23 · Registered User

Mendelssohn is one of the greatest composers of the Romantic period. His style is usually analogous to Schumann and Brahms, but more traditional. I have playes some piano pieces from Song Without Words before.

His greatest works, IMO: Violin concerto, 2 piano concertos, Italian and Scottish Symphonies, Songs without words, Hebrides overture, A Midsummer's night dream overture, etc. (I am missing some). These works represent Mendelsohnn best.

WinterWind_23 · Registered User

Mendelssohn is one of the greatest composers of the Romantic period. His style is usually analogous to Schumann and Brahms, but more traditional. I have playes some piano pieces from Song Without Words before.

His greatest works, IMO: Violin concerto, 2 piano concertos, Italian and Scottish Symphonies, Songs without words, Hebrides overture, A Midsummer's night dream overture, etc. (I am missing some). These works represent Mendelsohnn best.

Comme_le_Vent · Permanently Banned

the violin concerto is just kick-ass

better than anythin else by him imo

virtuoso_735 · Registered User

I like the Italian symphony no.4. The first movement is so ebullient and exuberant. Perhaps the most energetic of all symphonic movements. What is ironic about it is that the first movement is the only one in the symphony to be in the major key, while the remaining movements are in the minor.

Amnesia · Moderato(r)

Thanks for the insight . I will have to get some recordings..