Part of Mendelssohn's instrumental work catalog, this piece embodies the refined, melodic lyricism characteristic of his 'Songs Without Words' style. It is musically notable for its elegant, flowing lines and transparent, polyphonic texture.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment; continuous sixteenth-note figuration that must ripple, not chatter; and chord voicing — bringing out one note inside a handful of others.
Beyond that, expect rubato that must breathe naturally without losing the pulse.
Achieving an even, consistent flow in the sixteenth-note accompaniment while singing the melody is the primary technical requirement.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
A level or two down with the same spirit — ideal if this piece is still out of reach.
Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.
Con moto, MWV U 88 is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.
A typical performance of Con moto, MWV U 88 lasts about 3 minutes.
Con moto, MWV U 88 is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.
Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Albumblatt by Felix Mendelssohn, Allegro in D minor, MWV W 33 by Felix Mendelssohn, Berceuse by Georges Bizet — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.