Mendelssohn, Piano Concerto No 1

One of the few romantic musicians born in a golden cradle, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy received from his banker father in 1829 a gift that any artist of the 19th century – and of any other century – would have eagerly envied. The twenty-year-old had already shown enough signs of talent so his father thought it appropriate for him to fulfill the dream of every artist of the time, to travel to Italy. And since the family's financial well-being could afford a little more, Mendelssohn Sr. financed Felix's travels all over Europe, back and forth, for three years.

On the way

The first visit was to England, where he conducted his own works, gaining the total admiration of the English. Then, it was Scotland, where he will take inspiration for his Scottish Symphony. In 1830, after spending a few months in different cities of Austria, he arrived in Venice on October 9. After a brief but intense visit to Florence, he jumped to Rome, where he settled for several months, meeting Hector Berlioz who was there enjoying his Grand Prix de Rome scholarship. They did not become close friends, but Mendelssohn would later invite Berlioz to conduct the Symphonie Fantastique in Leipzig.

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy
(1809 - 1847)

On his return

After a short visit to Naples and Pompeii in the company of friends, he will be on his way back in 1831. On his way to Switzerland, he crossed Italy again, visiting Florence, Genoa, and Milan.

Mendelssohn had been working on his first piano concerto since the previous year. So, besides exercising on the way his extraordinary gifts for painting, he took the opportunity to premiere the concerto, with him at the piano, during a short stay in Munich.

In the middle of December, he was settled in Paris. There he met Chopin and Liszt. With the first one he will become a great friend. As for the second, he will be pleasantly surprised when he witnesses the reading at first sight that the Hungarian master will make of his First Piano Concerto. 

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in G minor

With very short dimensions, less than 20 minutes, the concerto was premiered in Munich in a benefit concert on October 17, 1831, with great success. However, it was Liszt who later, in Paris, made it truly famous. 

It is organized in the traditional manner, fast-slow-fast movements, which follow one after the other without pause.

Movements: 

00 Molto allegro con fuoco. A very fast and fierce movement. A fanfare (small brass section) at 6:35 precedes the andante, without pause.

6:50 Andante. In total contrast to the first movement, its tenderness becomes almost melancholy. With the four simple chords that end the movement, Yuja Wang takes the opportunity to show off his poise by brilliantly and astonishingly naturally achieving the piano's diminution in volume from piano to pianissimo.

12:18 Presto - Molto allegro vivace. It is also introduced by a fanfare, clearly reminiscent of the famous motif of the Fifth Symphony, three short notes and a long one. It is an exuberant, enthusiastic and lively rondo.

Yuja Wang is accompanied by the Verbier Festival Orchestra conducted by the German maestro Kurt Mazur.