Mendelssohn and Moscheles’s "Fantasie Brilliante & Variations" for two pianos and orchestra is a major rediscovery. The origin of this rare work, written jointly by two virtuoso piano composers based on a work by a third piano virtuoso, was at a charity event held in 1833 by the British Royal Court. At the center of the event was the appearance of two of the most famous pianists of the early 19th Century: Mendelssohn and his revered teacher, Moscheles (whose fame has sadly faded somewhat over the years). The two were asked to prepare a piece based on the "Bohemian March" from the Incidental Music To “Preciosa” by Weber, which was very popular in those days. The two composers, both extremely busy, met only a few days before the event and therefore the piece was based on improvisations they prepared on the basis of a joint skeletal plan (something along the lines of a "jam session" of jazz musicians these days). The success of the event led to a repeat event, several months later, for which more preparatory work had already been done based on the original improvisations.

The manuscript was lost after the premiere, and Moscheles later decided to create his own new version of the work, which he published in a limited edition. The manuscript of the original work only resurfaced in St. Petersburg at the beginning of the 21st century and was to be published in 2009 as part of a reissue of the entirety of Mendelssohn's works, on the 200th anniversary of his birth. Later, it turned out that the manuscript remained in the hands of Felix Moscheles, Ignatz's son, and was given as a gift to the legendary Russian-Jewish pianist Anton Rubinstein. Rubinstein brought the manuscript to Russia and there it disappeared in the recesses of his personal archive.

This highly exciting discovery allows us a glimpse into the rare genre of joint works that are created by two or more composers; it is also the only work that allows us to enjoy Mendelssohn's mature writing for two pianos (the two "official" concertos he wrote for two pianos and orchestra were composed in his youth and their style is immature).

The piece is built from a dramatic introduction followed by a free fantasy (by Mendelssohn). After the presentation of Weber's march (arranged by Moscheles), two variations by Mendelssohn and two by Moscheles are presented. The piece moves to an extensive and sophisticated finale, most of which bears the stamp of Mendelssohn's "golden hands", with virtuoso playing, a fugal division, and a retrospective observation of the entire original theme, just before the energetic finale.

This will be the American premiere. MultiPiano has made the world premiere recording of this important rediscovery, for release later in 2024.