Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, born in Hamburg in 1809 and died in Leipzig in 1847, was one of the most outstanding pianists and composers of the 19th century. His improvisational skills and virtuoso piano playing brought him great fame during his lifetime, yet his piano works were long considered not on par with the important compositions of his contemporaries. His pieces were often regarded as salon music, even though they possessed a subtle Romantic quality that, however, did not reach the depth of other great Romantic composers.
This judgment persisted into the 20th century, reinforced by factors such as Mendelssohn's critical stance towards Victorianism and the banning of his works by the Nazi regime. Despite his former fame, his output was often judged as conventional and sentimental, but not profound, compared to modern music. Only recently has there been a rediscovery of his piano works; Howard Shelley's complete recording, for example, has contributed significantly to this.
Among Mendelssohn's most famous compositions are the "Songs Without Words," considered typical of the character piece genre, which translates vocal expressiveness into purely instrumental music. These works are characterized by various keys and diverse structures, which Mendelssohn skillfully employed. He also composed larger piano cycles such as the "Variations sérieuses," as well as preludes, études, and further "Songs Without Words," some of which were published posthumously.
Despite earlier reservations about the depth of his music, Mendelssohn's contribution to piano literature remained multifaceted and enduring. His elegant style and versatility as a composer continue to resonate today.