How to Play “Restlessness” by Mendelssohn on Piano (2 Levels, Free)

Listen and play: 2 levels

About the piece

Restlessness, or Unruhe in German, is the fifth piece from Felix Mendelssohn's first book of Songs Without Words, Op. 19, published in 1832. This collection was groundbreaking for its ability to convey deep emotion and poetic narrative through instrumental piano music alone.

This specific piece is characterized by a rapid, perpetual motion in the accompaniment that creates a sense of agitation and urgency. It remains one of the most beloved pieces of the Romantic era, capturing the delicate balance between technical agility and lyrical expression.

Which level should you choose?

• Right hand only: focuses on the beautiful, yearning melody, allowing you to master the phrasing and emotional weight of the piece without the technical strain of the complex accompaniment.
• Both hands: the complete version requiring coordination between the melodic right hand and the arpeggiated, rolling left hand that defines the restless atmosphere of the work.

Fingering and hand position

Given the flowing nature of this piece, maintain a supple and relaxed wrist to facilitate the constant movement. Focus on keeping your fingers curved and close to the keys to manage the quick shifts.

For the right hand, prioritize legato playing to ensure the melody sings above the accompaniment. When playing both hands, keep the left hand significantly softer to allow the melodic lines to project clearly, ensuring the rhythmic pulse remains steady throughout the performance.

Practice tips

• Start by listening to the melody until you can hum it naturally, which will guide your musical phrasing.
• Use the DOLI PIANO speed control to slow the piece down significantly, focusing on accuracy before increasing the tempo.
• Break the piece into small, manageable sections, mastering the transitions between phrases one at a time.
• Keep your eyes on the falling notes and focus on maintaining a light touch to achieve the sparkling, agitated character of the composition.

Learn it step by step

Start by learning the melody in the right hand until it feels natural and expressive. Once the melody is secure, practice the left-hand pattern separately to ensure the rhythmic flow is consistent.

Slowly begin combining the hands at a very reduced speed, focusing on the alignment of the notes. Gradually increase the tempo only when you can play the sections comfortably, ensuring that you maintain the intended character of the piece even at slower speeds.

Frequently asked questions