Venetian gondola song : no. 1, op. 19, no. 6
Song · in G minor · Op. 19 No. 6
Felix Mendelssohn 1809–1847
G minor
Key
Song
Form
Andante sostenuto
Tempo
Op. 19 No. 6
Catalogue
Score
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Difficulty
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Themes & character
Barcarolle rhythm·Venetian atmosphere·First of three gondola songs·Songs Without Words
At a glance
- Catalogue
- Op. 19 No. 6
- Key
- G minor
- Tempo / character
- Andante sostenuto
- Form
- Song
About the piece
The first of three pieces Mendelssohn titled Venetianisches Gondellied, Venetian Gondola Song, published in 1830 as part of his first book of Songs Without Words. Its gently rocking rhythm imitates the barcarolle, the traditional song of Venetian gondoliers.
Mendelssohn had traveled to Venice in 1830, and the gondola songs, spread across three different books of Songs Without Words written over the following years, capture something of that lasting impression.
The composer
Felix Mendelssohn
1809–1847
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, simply known as Felix Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic era. Mendelssohn's compositions include symphonies, concertos, piano music, organ music and chamber music. His best-known works include the String Octet, the overture and incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream, the Italian and Scottish Symphonies, the oratorios St. Paul and Elijah, the Hebrides Overture, the mature Violin Concerto, and the melody used in the Christmas carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing". Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words are his most famous solo piano compositions.
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