Song without Words in E major "Sweet Remembrance"
About this arrangement
It opens Mendelssohn's first book of Songs without Words, composed in 1829-30 and first published in London in 1832 as Original Melodies for the Pianoforte. In English it's often sold under the nickname "Sweet Remembrance".
The hard part is keeping the melody louder than the broken chords played by the same hand. Practise the tune alone, then add the accompaniment very quietly at 50% tempo.
Start with short loops.
Use the section list as a practice map. Start at 50% tempo, loop one section, then return to the full piece once the hand shape feels stable.
Choose Right or Left to focus on one hand. Wait for note checks the highlighted notes as you play them on the screen or a connected MIDI keyboard.
Before you practice.
01 What level is Op. 19 No. 1?
It's intermediate. The notes aren't fast, but the right hand has to play the melody and part of the accompaniment at once and still make the tune stand out.
02 How long is Song without Words Op. 19 No. 1?
Our edition has 50 bars in 4/4.
03 What should I practise first?
The melody on its own. Once you know how it should sound, add the broken chords under it softly.
04 Did Mendelssohn call it Sweet Remembrance?
It's best treated as a nickname. Mendelssohn titled only a few of the Songs without Words himself, and many of the names in circulation were added by later publishers.
