Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847)

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy wrote many compositions, among which were the pianoworks published as the 8 volumes "Lieder Ohne Worte" (Songs Without Words). These are actually short and pure melodic inventions, arranged for the piano like textless vocal pieces. In these volumes we also spot a series of "Gondellieder" (Boat Songs). They take us to Venice where the 'gondoliera' sings his life songs for the romantic couple in the small gondola. The "Gondellied" op. 30 nr. 6 is a rather sad one, whereas op. 120, nr. 7, a later work, has a more gentle and open/mild character. The piece called "The Fleecy Cloud", op. 53 nr.2 describes the clouds floating overhead as representing the variable and perishable nature of life.