Capriccio

Historical context

Mendelssohn’s Capriccio, Op. 5, a pianoforte capriccio in F sharp minor, was composed in Berlin in 1825, as ‘the book’ notes from that year. This work emerged during a period of significant creative activity for the young composer. By 1829, Mendelssohn had already brought this capriccio to completion, alongside a collection of smaller piano pieces and his celebrated octet, according to ‘the book’. These early compositions collectively showcase the prodigious talent that would define his later career, offering a glimpse into his developing voice as a composer for the piano.

Drawn from Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix, 1809-1847; Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Paul, 1812-1874; Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Karl, 1838-1897; Rietz, Julius, 1812-1877, Letters of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy from 1833 to 1847 (1863); Lampadius, Wilhelm Adolf, 1812-1892; Gage, William Leonard, ed., 1832-1889, tr, Life of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1865) — public domain, archive.org.