Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
One of the last works of German composer Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847), the oratorio Elijah was first performed at England's Birmingham Festival in August 1846. Elated by the audience's response, Mendelssohn wrote jubilantly to his brother: «Not less than four choruses and four airs were encored.» Audiences still respond enthusiastically to this splendid oratorio. A century and a half later, Elijah is one of the most frequently performed of all choral works, a favorite of audiences everywhere.In the Old Testament, the story is told of how the Prophet Elijah vindicates the religion of the Israelites against the nature-worship of Baal. Mendelssohn imagined Elijah as «strong, zealous and, yes, even bad-tempered, angry and brooding…yet borne aloft as if on angels' wings.» His conception of Elijah comes immediately and vividly to life in an inspired series of solo and choral passages filled with compelling drama and rich musical symbolism. Elijah is reprinted here from the definitive German edition, with the text in both German and English.
Mendelssohn's Lieder Ohne Worte, or «Songs without Words,» is among the most loved, most played collections in the Romantic piano repertoire. Reproduced from the authoritative Breitkopf & Härtel edition, this volume contains all of these popular compositions—more than 40 pieces, including such favorites as Spinning Song, Spring Song, and Venetian Gondola Song.Composed at various points throughout his life, Mendelssohn compiled this collection of short works for the amateur pianist looking for high quality, yet not-to-difficult music. Still practiced and performed today, «Songs without Words» is often considered to be Mendelssohn's greatest legacy as a composer. For study or play, this work represents and admirable addition to any music library.