Mendelssohn’s chamber music was written with an awareness of the importance of domestic music-making. It is thus immediately attractive, packed with melody as well as subtle atmosphere. Technically it can be demanding but it is always rewarding to play. The complete works for violin and piano consist of the three formal Sonatas for violin and piano and five individual pieces. Two of the Sonatas date from Mendelssohn’s early years, while the more mature Sonata in F major dates from 1838, the year after Mendelssohn’s marriage, and the start of the period which saw him compose some of his finest works. The five separate pieces are more concise, but still display the rewarding writing for both piano and violin that was one of Mendelssohn’s hallmarks as a composer.