Composer

:

Felix Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Sonata

Compose Date

:

Feb 14, 1824

Publication Date

:

1966

Average_duration

:

25:35

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Felix Mendelssohn composed his Sonata for Viola and Piano in C minor in 1824, when he was just 15 years old. The piece premiered in Berlin in 1825, with Mendelssohn himself playing the piano part and the viola part performed by Eduard Rietz. The sonata is divided into three movements: Adagio-Allegro, Andante, and Allegro. The first movement, Adagio-Allegro, begins with a slow and melancholic introduction in the key of C minor. The viola enters with a lyrical melody, which is then taken up by the piano. The movement then transitions into an energetic Allegro, with the viola and piano trading off virtuosic passages. The movement ends with a return to the melancholic theme from the beginning. The second movement, Andante, is in the key of E-flat major and is marked by a gentle and flowing melody. The viola takes the lead in this movement, with the piano providing a delicate accompaniment. The middle section of the movement features a more dramatic and intense melody, before returning to the gentle opening theme. The final movement, Allegro, is in the key of C major and is marked by a lively and playful character. The viola and piano engage in a lively dialogue, with both instruments taking turns playing the main theme. The movement features several virtuosic passages for both instruments, before ending with a triumphant coda. Overall, Mendelssohn's Sonata for Viola and Piano in C minor is a masterful work that showcases the composer's skill at writing for both instruments. The piece is marked by its lyrical melodies, virtuosic passages, and dramatic contrasts between the different movements. Despite being composed at a young age, the sonata remains a beloved work in the viola repertoire.

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