The Allegro Brillante in
A Major for four-hand piano was Felix Mendelssohn's gift to Clara Schumann,
with whom he performed the work one week after its completion in March 1841.
The occasion was a concert in Leipzig featuring Clara, and benefiting the
Gewandhaus orchestra pension fund. Mendelssohn had arranged the event as a show
of support for Clara and Robert, who were still enmeshed in legal battles with
Clara's father, Friedrich Wieck. It was the first time that Robert and Clara
had appeared together professionally.
For this special
occasion Mendelssohn quickly composed a celebratory, two-part piano duet: an
Andante in singing style, much like one of his Songs Without Words for solo piano,
and the exuberant Allegro Brillante, with his familiar scherzo-style figures
and playful staccato patterns. When they published the work in 1851, Breitkopf
& Hartel left out the Andante, which was not restored until 1994, when the
E. G. Heinemann edition appeared. Because of the long performance history, the
piece is still frequently played without the Andante. Gregory Shifrin
Classical Music | Piano Music
Felix Mendelssohn
Allegro Brillant, Op. 92 Play
Recorded on 09/02/2009, uploaded on 11/24/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Allegro Brillante, Op.92 Felix Mendelssohn
The Allegro Brillante in A Major for four-hand piano was Felix Mendelssohn's gift to Clara Schumann, with whom he performed the work one week after its completion in March 1841. The occasion was a concert in Leipzig featuring Clara, and benefiting the Gewandhaus orchestra pension fund. Mendelssohn had arranged the event as a show of support for Clara and Robert, who were still enmeshed in legal battles with Clara's father, Friedrich Wieck. It was the first time that Robert and Clara had appeared together professionally.
For this special occasion Mendelssohn quickly composed a celebratory, two-part piano duet: an Andante in singing style, much like one of his Songs Without Words for solo piano, and the exuberant Allegro Brillante, with his familiar scherzo-style figures and playful staccato patterns. When they published the work in 1851, Breitkopf & Hartel left out the Andante, which was not restored until 1994, when the E. G. Heinemann edition appeared. Because of the long performance history, the piece is still frequently played without the Andante. Gregory Shifrin
More music by Felix Mendelssohn
Piano Trio No. 2 in c minor, Op. 66
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Fantasy in f-sharp minor, Op. 28 (Scottish Sonata)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14
Hear my Prayer
Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14
Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49
Scherzo from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Violin Sonata In F Major (without Op. No.)
Songs Without Words in D Major, Op. 109
Performances by same musician(s)
Fantasia in f minor, K. 608
Fantasy in f minor, D. 940
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