Songs Without Words: Mendelssohn, Brahms & Rachmaninov

What is Songs Without Words about?

Songs Without Words is an evening concert devoted to the lyrical heart of Romantic music, exploring how composers shaped instrumental works with a deep sense of vocal expression. The programme is presented at the Playhouse as part of Sheffield’s chamber music season.

At its centre is the music of Felix Mendelssohn, whose Songs Without Words are among the most beloved miniatures of the 19th century — concise, expressive pieces that sing without the need for text.

Which composers are featured?

Alongside Mendelssohn, the programme includes major Romantic-era works by:

• Johannes Brahms – Horn Trio

• Sergei Rachmaninov – Vocalise (from 14 Romances)

• Robert Schumann – Fantasiestücke

• Ernst von Dohnányi – Sextet

Together, these works reveal how Romantic composers blurred the line between song and instrumental music, creating pieces of profound emotional depth.

What makes this concert special?

Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words — including the famous Spring Song and Venetian Gondola Song — are paired with larger-scale chamber masterpieces that amplify their lyrical influence.

Brahms’s Horn Trio moves between intimacy and grandeur, Rachmaninov’s Vocalise brings unmistakable poignancy, and Dohnányi’s expansive Sextet closes the evening with passionate, rhapsodic intensity. The result is a richly varied programme that highlights the singing quality at the heart of Romantic chamber music.

Who is this event for?

This concert will appeal to:

• Fans of Romantic classical music

• Chamber music enthusiasts

• Listeners who enjoy lyrical, expressive instrumental works

• Anyone looking for a standout evening of things to do in Sheffield

🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/songs-without-words-mendelssohn-brahms-rachmaninov