Christopher Williams - Mendelssohn: Piano Rarities (2023) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Piano Sonata in F Minor, MWV U 23: I. Allegro
02. Piano Sonata in F Minor, MWV U 23: II. Adagio
03. Piano Sonata in F Minor, MWV U 23: III. Presto
04. Piano Sonata in E Minor, MWV U 19: I. Introduzione. Adagio - Allegro
05. Piano Sonata in E Minor, MWV U 19: II. Andante
06. Piano Sonata in E Minor, MWV U 19: III. Allegro
07. Songs Without Words in E-Flat Major, MWV U 68
08. Songs Without Words, Book 7, Op. 85: No. 5 in A Major, MWV U 191
09. Songs Without Words in D Major, MWV U 178
10. Songs Without Words, Book 7, Op. 85: No. 1 in F Major, MWV U 150
11. Songs Without Words in F-Sharp Minor, MWV U 124
12. Allegretto in A Major, MWV U 138
13. Andante in A Major, MWV U 76
14. Songs Without Words, Book 1, Op. 19b: No. 2 in A Minor, MWV U 80
15. Songs Without Words in E-Flat Major, MWV U 82
16. Andante con moto in A Major, MWV U 75
17. Con moto in A Major, MWV U 88
18. Wie die Zeit läuft, MWV U 196
19. Übungsbuch bei Zelter, MWV Z 1: No. 119, Theme & Variations in D Major
20. Piano Piece in G Major, MWV U 38
21. Andante in E-Flat Major, MWV U 165
22. Sostenuto in F Major, MWV U 167
23. Canon in F-Sharp Minor, MWV U 163
24. Capriccio in E-Flat Minor, MWV U 43
25. Allegro in F Major, MWV U 174 "Bärentanz"

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.

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