Time and time again, the Mendelssohn family has been the focus of researchers and biographers. It is quite astonishing how many important figures are to be found among the descendants of the Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn.
The pianist Elżbieta Sternlicht, who was educated in Poland and lives in Berlin, has devoted herself particularly to the works of Fanny Mendelssohn. But other members of the Mendelssohn family and their music have also captured her fascination. Arnold Mendelssohn advanced to become one of the most important church musicians of his time. After his death in 1933, his music was banned by the Nazi regime.
Now Elżbieta Sternlicht has made the first ever recording of his piano work. With his emphatically clear tonal language, Arnold Mendelssohn was almost ahead of his time. Elżbieta Sternlicht plays the pieces in a simple and unpretentious manner befitting the air of the music. An interesting recording that opens up a whole new perspective on the extensive creative output of the Mendelssohn family.
Anja Renczikowski
Piano, 2018