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Life and music
Mendelssohn grew up in a family where music, education and Sunday concerts belonged together. He and his sister Fanny studied with Carl Friedrich Zelter and remained musical sounding boards for each other. His career combined composing, piano playing and conducting. In Leipzig he directed the Gewandhaus, supported contemporary composers and helped establish a conservatory. His performances also brought Bach's music to wider audiences.
Explore different kinds of singing line and rhythmic motion through the Song Without Words, Op. 85 No. 1, a Venetian Gondola Song and the E-minor Scherzo. Listen for the character of each piece rather than assuming one is a required next step.
Sources
Where to start
- Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 85 No. 1Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Venetian Gondola Song, Op. 30 No. 6Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Scherzo in E minor, Op. 16 No. 2Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
More pieces in the Music Room
Small scenes, big imagination
- Song Without Words, Op. 102 No. 3Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Venetian Boat Song, Op. 19 No. 6Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Song Without Words in F-sharp minor, Op. 19b No. 5 ('Inquiétude')Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
- Lied Ohne Worte - Opus 53, No. 5 - VolksliedLevel 4, estimatedWith Maestro
- Song Without Words, Op. 19b No. 1Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
- Song Without Words, Op. 19b No. 3Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
- Song Without Words, Op. 30 No. 1Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
More pieces
- Prelude in D major, Op. 35 No. 2Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
- A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61: Scherzo, piano arrangementLevel 9, estimatedWith Maestro
- Wedding March, Op. 61: piano arrangementLevel 6, estimatedWith Maestro