Felix Mendelssohn ： Sostenuto in F-Dur MWV.U167

Written in F major, this character piece is shaped around a calm sense of tempo and a singing melody, with a quietly lyrical character. Rather than emphasizing stark contrasts, the melody unfolds gently within sustained sonorities, while subtle harmonic changes add nuance. It is helpful to maintain a sense of continuity throughout, creating a natural rise and fall through the phrasing and the peaks of the melody. In performance, the melody should be kept soft and singing, with the inner voices and accompaniment carefully balanced in the background. By allowing the resonance to linger while changing the pedal carefully to avoid muddiness, the work’s poised flow and warm sonority can be brought into relief.