Die beiden Neffen was written by between May 1822 and 1823, during which time Mendelssohn celebrated his fourteenth birthday.

These pieces were designed for performance within the family circle at the musical gatherings regularly organised by Felix's father Abraham Mendelssohn.

Die beiden Neffen was performed in the garden house of the Mendelssohn family on Felix's 15th birthday (3 February 1824).

The consequent problems of mistaken identities and misunderstandings fill out an undistinguished storyline leading to a traditional happy ending.

Die beiden Neffen oder Der Onkel aus Boston, Kate Royal, Lothar Odinius, Carsten Süß, Gächinger Kantorei, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Helmut Rilling, Hänssler Classics, 2004