It’s not exactly early, but I’ve been up for a while, up and out as a matter of fact. Back home now and reveling in the Mendelssohn Piano Trio Number One playing on the radio.

When I think about Mendelssohn I wonder why it took me so long to admire his music. When I was young, he was the Overture to Midsummer’s Nights Dream and the violin concerto. That’s about it.

Then I discovered his Italian Symphony … and his Octet … and his piano trios and other chamber music. The near-manic energy, the gorgeous melodies. Now Mendelssohn is one of my faves.

The lyrical second movement of the piano trio has come and gone, as well as the brief and memorable scherzo. The finale is playing now, the allegro, as the piano, violin and cello show off for each other. It’s energetic music; it puts a skip in my step.

Mendelssohn in the morning. It’s the way to go.

(The first page of Mendelssohn’s Octet, courtesy Wikipedia)