Piano Quartet No. 3 in B minor, Op. 23 – Felix Mendelssohn

Piano Quartet No. 3 in B minor, Op. 23 by Felix Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn began composing his third piano quartet in 1824, but would not finish the work until January of 1825 at the age of 16. While it is remarkable for a work as refined as this to have been composed so young, Mendelssohn had already completed two earlier piano quartets, with the first being composed when he was only 13. What is more remarkable is that one of the most popular works from the composer, the Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream, would be completed the following year at the age of 17.

Abraham Mendelssohn, father of Felix, had always supported his son having a thorough musical education. At age six Felix would be tutored on the piano in Paris, and then later in Berlin by the composer Ludwig Berger (himself a previous student of Muzio Clementi). By age 9 Felix would be composing his own works for the private orchestras of friends of the family. Despite this education, Abraham did not initially support Felix following music as his career. It was not until the enthusiastic reception of the piano quartet No. 3 at the Paris Conservatory in March 1825 that Abraham would agree for Felix to pursue music as his life passion.

This quartet is comprised of four movements:
I. Allegro Molto 00:00
II. Andante 08:17
III. Allegro molto 14:49
IV. Allegro vivace 20:17