Thread: Mendelssohn Piano Concertos

Surprisingly hard to get hold of are two piano concertos by Felix Mendelssohn. I've listened to both of them within the last few days and think they are both wonderful. What a great musical craftsman Mendelssohn was. I know his music is not specially popular today (other than a few works such as the late Violin Concerto) but, honestly, those two piano concertos have so many beauties it's sad that they are not hugely well known.


Mendelssohn's use of the orchestra is also very economical and pure. Every phrase is as delicate as porcelain. I really rate this composer and already love so much of his music. Highly recommended to those who perhaps have not heard much of him.

I don't think they are really out of the repertoire as I have several recordings of both works by Hough, Levin, Perahia, Katsaris... (Draeseke's piano concerto is really out of stage, as well as Stenhammar's). But I agree with you in the Mendelssohn, they are very good works.

What about his sonatas for the piano and the cello ?! they procure such an appeasment, and do you know this tiny little work : "Albulblatt", Mendelssohn's music is so efficient !

I know some of his string quartets and I think they deal with Beethoven's. His choral works are also greatly interesting, especially if sung by the contralto Stutzmann !

Originally Posted by robert newman

Mendelssohn's use of the orchestra is also very economical and pure. Every phrase is as delicate as porcelain. I really rate this composer and already love so much of his music. Highly recommended to those who perhaps have not heard much of him.

I agree with you, a very delicate touch and he should be played more to-day, from memory I can not recall hearing one of his works live in concert in the last 7-8 yrs, and do not forget the Violin Concerto. also Midsummer nights dream which has an abundance of fine melodies, the string Qts, and a recent purchase I made was a selection of string sinfonias 4 out of a total of 12 I think? and from a very young Mendelssohn.

I'm really enjoying his piano concertos as well. The piano is just sparkling,and perfectly balanced with the orchestra. I've just started listening to his music in the past two months, and I'm very surprised that he isn't a bigger name today. His music is so relaxing and pleasant. His music rates high in my classical collection.

Some may enjoy the Pisarev recording, for a more pensive view of these works.

Big fan of the Mendelssohn G Minor Piano Concerto. Here is a MARVELOUS recording of both PCs:

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/...&album_id=2212

The recording I own:


Jean-Francois Rivest (currently chief conductor of the student orchestra at the University of Montreal, and one-time resident conductor of the MSO and of Thirteen Strings here in Ottawa) did a number of interesting recordings of late classical/early romantic piano concertos with his then orchestra in Laval (a suberb of Montreal). His recording with Alain Lefevre of Mozart piano concertos (for CBC reciords, I believe) is a study in modest means backing up a soloist.

Ms Chung and Mr Rivest do a great job of the Mendelssohn PC's, though his filler choice (the oft-recorded Hebrides overture) is "just" fine, nothing more.

Honourable mention: Schiff/Dutoit

Go for this. Complete concertos. Cheap.