Some of Felix Mendelssohn’s most charming work can be found in his Songs without Words. Between 1830 and 1847, Mendelssohn composed eight sets of six short piano pieces–48 pieces in all–that he himself titled Songs without Words. The nicknames now associated with the individual pieces, however, are not his, with the exception of Venetian Boat Song, Spinning Song, and Spring Song.
The first book of Songs without Words, Opus 19 was written between 1830 and 1832. During that time, Mendelssohn was touring Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, and his travels are thought to have indirectly influenced this collection.
Here is pianist Sviatoslav Richter to play this lovely music for you:
