Taking inspiration from his predecessors in the German tradition, Mendelssohn polished his counterpoint, and practised the fugue - as Mozart had done before him on discovering Bach - and the concerto. We discover a young composer well versed in Baroque and Classical forms, which he embellished with his own sparkling charm.

This album is also an opportunity to discover some of Mendelssohn’s lesser-known works, including the note-worthy Salve Regina sung by the soprano Monica Piccinini, several solitary fugues, a Largo and Allegro for piano and strings and a Concerto for violin and string orchestra in D minor.

“This is a profound work,” says Biondi, who also plays the violin solo here, “with a rich orchestral part, which does not merely accompany the soloist, but is also fully engaged in all its sections, and a particularly interesting violin part. It conveys a constant good humour, in a huge kaleidoscope of formulations, while always retaining its formal construction.”