Composer(s): Mendelssohn, Felix
Arranger(s): Todd, R. Larry
Label: Naxos
Genre: Instrumental
Period: 20th Century; Romantic
Catalogue No: 8.574509
Barcode: 747313450978
Release Date: 11/2023

MENDELSSOHN, Felix: Piano Rarities - Early Piano Sonatas, MWV U19 and U23 / Lieder ohne Worte (Songs Without Words) (Christopher Williams)

Recent scholarship has brought numerous compositions by the excessively self-critical Mendelssohn into print and has ensured more accurate compositional dates for them. Many of these rare and little-known examples are encountered on this album. The title Lieder ohne Worte (‘Songs without Words’) may have mystified some contemporaries but their refinement and beauty are obvious as is their wide emotional range. The two youthful sonatas are astonishingly mature, even in the allusions to Beethoven. Mendelssohn’s humour and quirkiness can also be heard in this vibrant selection of seldom encountered piano pieces.

Tracklist

Mendelssohn, Felix
Williams, Christopher (piano)
1I. Allegro05:17
Williams, Christopher (piano)
2II. Adagio05:28
Williams, Christopher (piano)
3III. Presto03:38
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
4I. Introduzione: Adagio - Allegro08:07
Williams, Christopher (piano)
5II. [Andante]02:15
Williams, Christopher (piano)
6III. Allegro03:52
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
7Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in E-Flat Major, MWV U6801:52
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
8Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Book 7, Op. 85: No. 41 in A Major, Op. 85, No. 5, MWV U191 (1847 version)01:38
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
9Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in D Major, MWV U17802:35
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
10Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in F Major, MWV U15002:18
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
11Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in F-Sharp Minor, MWV U12402:08
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
12Allegretto in A Major, MWV U13802:24
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
13Andante in A Major, MWV U7601:01
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
14Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words), Book 1, Op. 19b: No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 19b, No. 2, MWV U80 (1830 version)02:11
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Mendelssohn, Felix
Todd, R. Larry - Arranger
Williams, Christopher (piano)
15Lied ohne Worte (Song without Words) in E-Flat Major, MWV U82 (completed by R.L. Todd)02:46
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Mendelssohn, Felix
Williams, Christopher (piano)
16Andante con moto in A Major, MWV U7502:02
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
17Con moto in A Major, MWV U8800:36
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
18Wie die Zeit läuft! (How Time Flies!), MWV U19601:49
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
19Übungsbuch bei Zelter, MWV Z1: No. 119. Theme and Variations in D Major03:49
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
20Piano Piece in G Major, MWV U3802:15
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
21Andante in E-Flat Major, MWV U16501:39
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
22Sostenuto in F Major, MWV U16702:14
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
23Canon in F-Sharp Minor, MWV U163 (1842 version)01:21
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
24Capriccio in E-Flat Minor, MWV U4310:05
Williams, Christopher (piano)
Williams, Christopher (piano)
25Allegro in F Major, MWV U174, "Bärentanz" (Bear Dance)00:54
Williams, Christopher (piano)

Total Playing Time: 01:14:14