Mendelssohn | Complete Piano Works | Volume 1 (Songs Without Words)

Felix Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words were written at various points throughout his life, and were published separately. The works were part of the Romantic tradition of writing short lyrical pieces for the piano, although the specific concept of a ‘Song Without Words’ was new. Mendelssohn's sister Fanny wrote a number of similar pieces, and, according to some music historians, she may have helped inspire the concept, but the title ‘Song Without Words’ seems to have been Mendelssohn's own invention. In 1828, Fanny wrote in a letter: ‘My birthday was celebrated very nicely…. Felix has given me a “song without words” for my album (he has lately written several beautiful ones).’

This volume of Mendelssohn’s piano works contains his complete Songs Without Words, Opp. 19, 30, 38, 53, 62, 67, 85 and 102.