Mendelssohn: Complete Works for Violin and Piano

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Felix Mendelssohn's complete works for violin and piano with this comprehensive collection, released on September 27, 2024, by Aparté. Spanning nearly two hours of exquisite chamber music, this album showcases Mendelssohn's mastery of the violin and piano duo, featuring three sonatas composed between 1820 and 1838, along with a concerto for violin, piano, and strings, and a beautifully arranged song without words.

The album opens with the poignant Violin Sonata in D Minor, MWV Q9, followed by a series of preludes, fugues, and minuets that highlight Mendelssohn's intricate compositional style. The three movements of the Violin Sonata in F Major, MWV Q7, demonstrate the composer's ability to blend technical virtuosity with emotional depth. The Violin Sonata in F Minor, Op. 4, MWV Q12, further showcases Mendelssohn's range, with its dynamic shifts and expressive melodies.

The Concerto for Violin, Piano, and Strings in D Minor, MWV O4, is a standout piece, featuring a lively allegro, a tender adagio, and a spirited allegro finale. The album concludes with an enchanting arrangement of "Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 62, MWV U185: No. 1, Andante espressivo," adapted for violin and piano by the renowned Fritz Kreisler.

Performances by Denitsa Kazakova, Syliane Deferne, and the Orchestre des Jeunes de la Suisse Romande bring these works to life with precision and passion. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to Mendelssohn's oeuvre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience, celebrating the enduring brilliance of one of the Romantic era's most influential composers.