"Young Werther," another Brad Mehldau original from his 1995 debut Introducing Brad Mehldau, takes its title from Goethe's epistolary novel The Sorrows of Young Werther, revealing the literary influences that have consistently informed Mehldau's artistic identity. The composition features a 35-bar form in F at approximately 200 BPM, its unusual length creating an asymmetric structure that gives the improvisation an organic, through-composed quality. Mehldau takes four substantial choruses of piano improvisation, building an extended narrative that demonstrates both his technical facility and his conceptual depth. Bassist Larry Grenadier follows with two choruses, bringing his own melodic sensibility to the tune's distinctive harmonic landscape. The reference to Goethe positions Mehldau within a tradition of jazz musicians who draw inspiration from literature and philosophy, connecting his music to a broader cultural conversation beyond the jazz world. The composition's moderately fast tempo and unusual form length create a framework that resists easy categorization, challenging both the performers and listeners to engage with the music on its own terms. This early original composition already displays the hallmarks of Mehldau's mature writing: sophisticated harmony, unexpected formal structures, and an emotional depth that connects personal expression with larger artistic and intellectual traditions.
