Lied ohne Worte

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Lied ohne Worte (Ger.; Fr. Chanson sans paroles). Song without words. Term introduced by Mendelssohn to describe pf. solo in which song-like melody progresses against acc. Pubd. in 8 books each containing 6 pieces: Book I, Op.19, 1829–30; Book 2, Op.30, 1835; Book 3, Op.38, 1837; Book 4, Op.53, 1841; Book 5, Op.62; Book 6, Op.67, 1843–5; Book 7, Op.85, 1842; Book 8, Op.102, 1842–5. Most of the titles given to these pieces were not Mendelssohn's, but the 3 Venetian Gondola Songs were. He also wrote a Lied ohne Worte for vc. and pf., Op.109.