Mendelssohn's Small Masterpieces

New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 786, 13 August 1954, Page 21

Mendelssohn's Small Masterpieces

MENDELSSOHN’S well-known Songs Without Words were written at odd moments between much larger works. In several instances they were hastily inscribed in the birthday books and autograph albums of his friendsespecially in England, where his circle of acquaintances was immense. Twenty of these compositions-there were 49 alto-gether-are being played by Lola Johnson in Masterpieces in Miniature, four programmes which 2YA is broadcasting at 8.30 p.m. on Thursdays, the second on August 19. In a note on these broadcasts, L. D. Austin says that publication of Songs Without Words extended over 36 years, from 1832 to 1868. The title page of Book I, published at the author’s risk,’ describes them simply as "Original Melodies for the Piano-Forte." Mendelssohn was then 23. Only 114 copies of this first book were sold in the first four years, but when, chiefly on the advice of Mendelssohn’s sister Fanny, the title was changed to Songs Without Words, the salés of this volume and its successors were so good that when the composer died in 1847 it was be-

lieved that there were very few musical homes in Britain that did not have copies. In fact, for a long time many people in Britain thought that the Songs Without Words were Mendelssohn’s entire musical output. Mr: Austin says many people will be surprised to know that Mendelssohn’s sister not only suggested the title for this series of compositions, but wrote at least two of them herself, and collaborated with her brother in writing others. . Felix frequently spoke of Fanny in letters to friends as being more gifted musically than himself, and he never completed any of his compositions without consulting her and often adopting her advice. Mr. Austin says some of Mendelssohn’s vocal music also was written by Fanny. In the broadcasts by Lola Johnson four groups of five items each are being presented. The order of selection was determined not by chronology but with variety of character and _ tonality in mind, though as it happens the. five items heard in the first broadcest this week (August 12) are in almost their original sequence,