Mendelssohn believed that music communicates more precisely than words, stating that the music he loved expressed ideas "not too vague to be captured in words, but on the contrary too precise."
Instruments
The piano used for this recording is a Paul McNulty 2010 instrument, modeled after an 1830 Pleyel piano, a brand favored by Chopin.
Composition History
The term 'Songs Without Words' (Lieder ohne Worte) first appeared in 1828, and Mendelssohn specifically requested this title for his first German edition in 1833.
Composer Biography
Mendelssohn dedicated several of his Songs Without Words to significant people in his life, including his sister Rebecka, Sophia Louisa Dance, Delphine von Schauroth, Henriette Voigt, and his future wife Cécile Jeanrenaud.
Performer Biography
Ronald Brautigam, the pianist on this recording, is a leading Dutch musician known for his virtuosity and eclectic interests, including a passion for the fortepiano.
Critical Reception
Robert Schumann, a contemporary composer and critic, reviewed Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words, praising their beauty and emotional depth.
Compositional Technique
Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words combine lyrical, song-like structures with the freedom of a character piece, often featuring a melody in the upper voice and a homogeneous accompaniment.
