I have long loved classical music, as those who have read my blog posts over the years will likely remember. Of the various subsections of the overall classical genre, I tend to be a classical guy, though I do like some romance and baroque music too (think Mozart). I’m not a fan of modern classical, as most of it seems to be a contest of who can create the most discordant cacophony. My favorite composers have always been Mozart and Beethoven, though I also enjoy Chopin, Haydn, Bach, Handel, and many others.

Recently, however, I have gotten into the music of Felix Mendelssohn, particularly his works “Songs Without Words.” I love piano music and always have. Those who know anything about classical might suppose that Chopin is the pinnacle, and while a lot of his music is excellent, I can only take them in certain doses. Perhaps it is partially the knowledge that most of his stuff is unplayable unless you are a concert pianist . . . Regardless, I have recently discovered a love of Mendelssohn which easily equals my preference for Chopin.

Another thing that most of you know about me is that I have some pretense toward being musical. I have played various instruments here and there in the past, notably flute, guitar, and piano, and it is that last that is my favorite. I also sing, most recently in a barbershop quartet, and I have been the conductor for my church choir for about six – seven years running. (And just now starting to become comfortable with it, as I have no training!)

If you ever hear me play piano, you know that I have put the work in to learn whatever I am playing. I do not sight read well. I learn a piece by teaching my hands where they need to go next, and as such, it takes me quite a while to learn something. Thus, I have learned some very difficult pieces, while at the same time many pieces of much lesser difficulty confound me. My abilities are all over the place, as my old piano teacher often told me. If I like a song enough and put enough time into it, I will learn it as long as it’s not too crazy. If I do not like a song, no amount of practice will allow me to learn it.

For today’s post, I thought I would link to a piece of music I am currently working on, which leads us back to Mendelssohn. While there are several of the Songs Without Words that I like a lot, the Duetto is about my favorite. I hope you enjoy listening to it, and imagine me playing it, though not nearly so well as the pianist in the video!