Felix Mendelssohn - Five Early Piano Miniatures and Fugues, MWV U 149–153 - ( 1820 - 1821 )

Mendelssohn’s Early Piano Sketches, MWV U 149–153: A Prodigy’s Miniatures

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, born in 1809, was a musical prodigy whose early compositions reveal a precocious mastery of form, melody, and counterpoint. Composed around 1820–1821, when he was just 11–12 years old, the five solo piano pieces cataloged as MWV U 149–153 in the Mendelssohn-Werkverzeichnis (MWV) are short, standalone works that showcase his youthful experimentation. Written under the guidance of Carl Friedrich Zelter in Berlin, these miniatures—ranging from sonata-like movements to fugues—reflect influences from Mozart, C.P.E. Bach, and J.S. Bach, while hinting at the Romantic lyricism that would define Mendelssohn’s later works, such as the Songs Without Words. Preserved in manuscripts at the Berlin State Library and later edited in critical editions (e.g., Breitkopf & Härtel), these pieces were unpublished during Mendelssohn’s lifetime but offer a fascinating glimpse into his formative years.

MWV U 149: Movement in G Minor (ca. 2:43) is a compact, sonata-form sketch in a stormy, dramatic key. Its vigorous opening theme, marked by syncopated rhythms, evokes the intensity of Mozart’s G minor works, while the piano’s virtuosic runs and double thirds showcase Mendelssohn’s own pianistic flair. Likely an unfinished fragment of a larger work, it balances classical structure with youthful exuberance, its development section exploring harmonic tensions before a brisk recapitulation.

MWV U 150: Andante in D Minor (ca. 3:28) is a lyrical, introspective piece, possibly conceived as a slow movement for a sonata or a standalone character study. Its singing melody, supported by delicate arpeggiations, conveys a melancholic tenderness, with subtle modulations hinting at the emotional depth Mendelssohn would later refine. The piece’s restrained elegance contrasts with the more fiery U 149, revealing his versatility even at this age.

MWV U 151: Fugue in D Minor (ca. 1:51) demonstrates Mendelssohn’s early command of counterpoint, a skill honed through Zelter’s Bach-centric pedagogy. This three-voice fugue features a concise, angular subject with tight imitation, culminating in a brief stretto. Though short, it exudes technical rigor, reflecting the young composer’s immersion in Baroque models while maintaining a classical clarity.

MWV U 152: Fugue in C Minor (ca. 1:25) is another contrapuntal exercise, denser and more chromatic than U 151. Its compact structure prioritizes thematic interplay over extended development, with a somber, intense subject that underscores Mendelssohn’s growing facility with complex textures. This fugue, like U 151, served as a pedagogical tool, showcasing his ability to emulate Bach’s craft.

MWV U 153: Allegro in C Major (ca. 1:30) is a buoyant, binary-form piece brimming with playful energy. Its scalar themes and sparkling runs suggest a proto-rondo or scherzo, with cadential flourishes that capture Mendelssohn’s youthful vivacity. The bright C major tonality offers a cheerful contrast to the minor-keyed pieces, rounding out the set with optimism.

These five pieces, often called “Juvenile Keyboard Exercises” or “Early Piano Sketches,” are not a formal cycle but a collection of exploratory works performed privately at the Mendelssohn family’s Berlin salon. Modern recordings, such as those by Nicholas Milton or Roberto Prosseda, highlight their charm, while scores on IMSLP make them accessible for study. Collectively, they illustrate Mendelssohn’s prodigious talent—blending classical discipline with flashes of Romantic expressiveness—and serve as delightful miniatures for teaching or recital encores, bridging his juvenilia to masterpieces like the Octet, Op. 20.

Видео Felix Mendelssohn - Five Early Piano Miniatures and Fugues, MWV U 149–153 - ( 1820 - 1821 ) канала Justin Walsh