Mendelssohn: Song without Words, Op. 19b No. 1 in E major 'Sweet Remembrance' (Andante con moto)

Felix Mendelssohn was a virtuoso pianist, and it is worth remembering that he was born in 1809, with his friend Schumann being born a year later in 1810, as was Chopin, and Liszt following in 1811. These composers were among the greatest pianists of the 19th century, and they were born at a time when the piano was a relatively modern instrument, and composers such as Hummel, Moscheles (Mendelssohn’s friend), Kalkbrenner and Ries were accorded adulation similar to pop stars today. Beethoven commenced his career in the 1790s as a virtuoso pianist.

No surprise then that the young Mendelssohn composed extensively for his chosen instrument from the outset. From early concertos and sonatas he quickly established his ‘mature’ style in works such as the Rondo capriccioso, and the Andante cantabile e Presto agitato.

The masterpieces that followed include the remarkably imposing Variations serieuses and the famous Songs without Words. Mendelssohn’s style did not change throughout his short creative life – he very quickly composed in what we know as his mature style from his early teens, something even Mozart didn’t achieve. This 4CD contains the Songs without Words, Variations serieuse, Kinderstucke, Rondo capriccioso, Capriccio, and Trois Fantasies ou Caprices plus several shorter works.

All artworks in this series are watercolours by the composer

Released to commemorate the forthcoming anniversary of Mendelssohn in 2009, this 8 CD set features the piano works. The works on these discs exude flowing elegance and pianistic brilliance. Songs Without Words display flowing lyricism combined with appealing melody and the character pieces, fantasias, capriccios, preludes, studies and other works demand a good deal of dexterity.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Dana Protopopescu has captivated audiences worldwide. Previous recordings won her the highest acclaim in press reviews by the Penguin Guide and Diapason France. Among other awards, she has received the Music Critic Award in Bucharest.

Piano Classics is the ideal introduction to the world of the keyboard. Over nine hours of critically acclaimed performances of keyboard masterworks by Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin and Liszt. Artists featured include Bernard Roberts, Shura Cherkassky, Vlado Perlemuter and Martin Jones. Extensive booklet notes will open a world of discovery.

This is a brand new and exclusive set of 14 CDs which covers the work of Sviatoslav Richter from 1954 until 1993. “I don’t know if it is possible to explain to anybody the extraordinary phenomenon his personality and playing created. We can only hope that this can also be sensed through the recordings, for Richter is one of the few performers whose individuality is clearly manifest on a recording, regardless of its quality, and at each subsequent listening his playing gives a greater, more staggering experience than we are able to remember” (Dezsó Ránki, CD booklet).

To the present-day listener one of the most notable aspects of European concert music in the 19th century is the degree to which it became far less the preserve of the Church and the ruling classes. Many composers working in the early years of the century, Beethoven among them, were, to a lesser or greater extent, still working as employees of the Church or the wealthy aristocratic classes. This system of patronage was soon to break down and the role of the composer took on a more professional and academic character. The new-found freedom, and the advent of Romanticism in the arts as a whole, revitalised music throughout Europe; composers began to experiment with new forms, making their music more personal and innovative. This change of musical climate is clearly illustrated in this 17-CD set made up of works from most of the great composers of the time.

Piano sonatas (by Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven and Schumann) are featured extensively but this set also contains some rather original choices: music by Satie, Albéniz and Liszt for example.