Lied Ohne Worte - Opus 53, No. 5 - Volkslied

History

The fifth piece in the fourth Songs Without Words book carries the title Volkslied, or Folk Song. PTNA's account attributes this name to Mendelssohn himself. The book was published by Simrock in 1841. A composer-given title is a useful clue to the piece's identity, but it does not establish a particular folk melody or narrative scene without further evidence.

Sources

• enc.piano.or.jp

What to listen for

1. 1

   Two notes launch the phrase

   The two short pickup notes lead into the first full bar. Hear them as an upbeat, not a separate heavy beat. The lower part waits until the full-bar pattern begins.

2. 2

   Quick gestures with small breaths

   Short descending gestures are separated by tiny rests. Keep those gaps precise without losing the forward motion, and listen for the lower chords answering between rests.

3. 3

   A new colour in the same rhythm

   The next bar keeps the quick pattern but introduces G-sharp before turning back upward. Maintain the same pulse through the changing notes rather than accenting every accidental.

4. 4

   The opening returns with a crescendo

   The familiar gesture returns with a written crescendo. Let the phrase grow in direction and volume while preserving its small rests and light movement.

How to practise it

Connect small upper gestures above sparse chord punctuation.

1. Practise one upper group into its following rest, then connect two groups.
2. Count the lower rests aloud, then add the chord attacks lightly.
3. Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.

How hard is it

About this piece

Collection

Small scenes, big imagination

Licence

Public Domain

Source

mutopiaproject.org

More by Felix Mendelssohn

1. 1Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 85 No. 1Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
2. 2Venetian Gondola Song, Op. 30 No. 6Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
3. 3Scherzo in E minor, Op. 16 No. 2Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro