Variations sérieuses

Historical context

The Variations sérieuses, Op. 54, a piece for pianoforte in D minor, was composed in Leipzig in 1841, as recorded in the book (1841). Just a few years later, on July 9, 1844, Mendelssohn himself performed his “Variations Serieuses” (Op. 54) at a farewell soiree. This performance took place at the London home of his friend Klingemann, as noted in the book.

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.