Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) - Bicentennial Celebration!

Maestro267 · May 11, 2023, 08:25:34 AM

There isn't a Piano Concerto No. 3 by Mendelssohn. He only wrote 2.

Florestan · May 11, 2023, 10:48:28 AM

Quote from: Maestro267 on May 11, 2023, 08:25:34 AMThere isn't a Piano Concerto No. 3 by Mendelssohn. He only wrote 2.

https://www.takte-online.de/en/orchestra/detail/artikel/e-moll-felix-mendelssohns-drittes-klavierkonzert/index.htm

Jo498 · May 12, 2023, 06:55:09 AM

Besides this incomplete 3rd piano concerto and the two better known ones, Mendelssohn wrote an early concerto for piano and strings in a minor (as well as two concerti for two pianos and one for piano, violin and strings).

Brian · May 12, 2023, 07:23:58 AM

Cross-posted from the concert thread, a live performance that reawakened my love of Mendelssohn chamber music:

My main lesson is that I came away with greater respect for Mendelssohn. Compared to the Tchaikovsky, with its many unisons and extended first violin solos, and the Webern, which is rather youthful and simple, Mendelssohn's quartet was so tightly written, full of so much dialogue between instruments. It really embodies the ideal of string quartet as "conversation." You could see it in their body language! ...It was like watching a jazz band at work. The cellist, especially, liked to lean in and get in everyone else's faces. ...there's a real amazing visual element of themes being passed back and forth, of ideas being traded. Note to self: always, always go to live performances of Mendelssohn chamber works.

Jo498 · May 12, 2023, 08:49:41 AM

The op.44/2 e minor is a very good and often overlooked quartet (and my fav of op.44 despite the uber-brilliant D major also having charms), however I still prefer op.12,13 and 80.
Don't remember the early Webern movement well enough and I like the first PIT, but this last one is mostly relying on "charm" and not on sophisticated quartet writing. (However, PIT also doesn't try to "buff it up" but mostly keeps it light and charming.)

W.A. Mozart · May 17, 2023, 02:12:59 AM

Quote from: Maestro267 on May 11, 2023, 08:25:34 AMThere isn't a Piano Concerto No. 3 by Mendelssohn. He only wrote 2.

As other users have explained, not only there is a third piano concerto, but Mendelssohn also composed various piano concertos in teen age that are unnumbered.

Here below some videos from my youtube channel Classical Music & Soundtracks (which offers many pieces of classical music with pictures of beautiful landscapes, as well as soundtracks with pictures from the films).

Mendelssohn - MWV O2 - Piano Concerto in A Minor (1822) ---> 13 years old

Mendelssohn - MWV O6 - Concerto for Two Pianos (1824) ---> 15 years old

Mendelssohn - MWV O4 - Concerto for Piano and Violin in D minor (1823) ---> 14 years old

Mendelssohn - MWV O5 - Concerto for Two Pianos in E Major (1823) ---> 14 years old

Franco_Manitobain · May 24, 2023, 05:43:57 AM

I would like your recommendations for recordings the complete Songs Without Words on modern piano (no forte piano please). Thank you in advance!

Brian · May 24, 2023, 06:07:06 AM

Quote from: Franco_Manitobain on May 24, 2023, 05:43:57 AMI would like your recommendations for recordings the complete Songs Without Words on modern piano (no forte piano please). Thank you in advance!

I have and love Barenboim (a little slower and more "pretty") and Endres (a little more "straight"). Todd posted a survey of various complete recordings here and the YouTube clip of Gortler sounds really wonderful. _{But on fortepiano there is Brautigam}

Franco_Manitobain · May 24, 2023, 06:08:38 AM

Quote from: Brian on May 24, 2023, 06:07:06 AMI have and love Barenboim (a little slower and more "pretty") and Endres (a little more "straight"). Todd posted a survey of various complete recordings here and the YouTube clip of Gortler sounds really wonderful. _{But on fortepiano there is Brautigam}

Thanks for the recommendations (I was eyeing the Barenboim). And I will go scout out the Todd list.

SonicMan46 · May 24, 2023, 08:32:53 AM

Quote from: Brian on May 24, 2023, 06:07:06 AMI have and love Barenboim (a little slower and more "pretty") and Endres (a little more "straight"). Todd posted a survey of various complete recordings here and the YouTube clip of Gortler sounds really wonderful. _{But on fortepiano there is Brautigam}

Quote from: Franco_Manitobain on May 24, 2023, 06:08:38 AMThanks for the recommendations (I was eyeing the Barenboim). And I will go scout out the Todd list.

Well, plenty of options (I've culled these for years!) - currently, I have the 2-CD Gortler set of all 48 songs and the Ana-Marija Markovina 12-CD box on Mendelssohn's piano works - she scatters the songs between CDs. As to Brian's suggestion, a fortepiano performance might be 'right up my alley' - Dave

P.S. Gortler reviews attached, if interested.

Florestan · May 24, 2023, 08:40:31 AM

I'm afraid I cannot endorse the Markovina set. That she scatters the SWO over several CDs is bad enough, but can be ultimately overcome by a little work --- the big problem is the trouble is not worth it, she somehow conceived the notion, that Mendelssohn's piano music should be played sempre staccato e sforzando, forte fortissimo, an approach that might works for some pieces but definitely not for the SWO. The whole set is a huge disappointment for me.

Florestan · May 24, 2023, 09:03:35 AM

Two SWO sets I can heartily recommend:

SonicMan46 · May 24, 2023, 11:38:36 AM

Quote from: Brian on May 24, 2023, 06:07:06 AMI have and love Barenboim (a little slower and more "pretty") and Endres (a little more "straight"). Todd posted a survey of various complete recordings here and the YouTube clip of Gortler sounds really wonderful. _{But on fortepiano there is Brautigam}

Quote from: Franco_Manitobain on May 24, 2023, 06:08:38 AMThanks for the recommendations (I was eyeing the Barenboim). And I will go scout out the Todd list.

Just reposting - looked at Todd's comments about Endres in the link given by Brian - so checked out BRO and the 2-CD set by Endres is currently there for $8 USD (plus shipping - cheap to me in North Carolina w/ a few additional recordings added, but not sure where you are located?). NOW, to look for Brautigam on fortepiano - any suggestions Brian? Dave

Brian · May 24, 2023, 01:08:44 PM

Funny because I am looking at Gortler after hearing the sound samples!

Brautigam was never "boxed" or even put into a two CD set, so you still have to buy separately. You probably have higher shopping priorities.

There is an extensive collection on YouTube, a good idea to listen because his vision on fortepiano is much different (much faster) than most people on modern grands. I can imagine it being divisive.

SonicMan46 · May 24, 2023, 02:13:42 PM

Quote from: Brian on May 24, 2023, 01:08:44 PMFunny because I am looking at Gortler after hearing the sound samples!

Brautigam was never "boxed" or even put into a two CD set, so you still have to buy separately. You probably have higher shopping priorities. There is an extensive collection on YouTube, a good idea to listen because his vision on fortepiano is much different (much faster) than most people on modern grands. I can imagine it being divisive.

Hi Brian - just decided to go to the BIS website and ordered both Brautigam CDs from there - ended up being about $40 USD (including the shipping), but one 'used' CD on the Amazon MP was nearly $20. SO, both CDs are on the way 'across the pond' (BTW, saw your review on MusicWeb - excellent!). Dave

ADDENDUM: For those interested in the Brautigam recordings, reviews are attached (please ignore the one by Lynn Reneé Bayley - she's been 'touched' by David Hurwitz as PI haters IMO).