Mendelssohn symphonies

Devon, Mendelssohn's Symphonies are some of the greatest in the whole symphonic repertory. The last three are true masterpieces of craftsmanship, inspiring melodies, great rhythms, bold but refined orchestration and superb use of the structural rules of composition (sonata form, rondo, variations, etc.). The "Scottish" (the Third) is his glorious one, the "Italian" (his Fourth) is an absolute delight in every way and "the Reformation" (his Fifth) is the more dramatic and assertive.

Mendelssohn is the equivalent of Mozart in the 19th century. A young short-lived man who was talented enough to compose a series of great works, including the String Quartets in the minor mode you like most (try to listen carefully the E-flat major, op.44, no.3 as well; it's a great masterpiece).

Among the other great works, his two String Quintets are the best written after Mozart and are worthy of both the Mozart and the Brahms ones. Absolute masterpieces! His two Piano Trios are genuine jewels of the genre. The Violin and Cello Sonatas are more complex and less straightforward works, but, nonetheless, are solid and interesting to listen. His Piano Music contains some marvellous works, second to none. As for his Choral Works, apart from the very well known Elias, there are plenty of smaller masterworks along with the other wonderful Oratorio, Paulus.

In sort, Mendelssohn is a great composer by any standard and he fully deserves our attention and further exploration.

Parla

This post has got to be a wind up. Devon Farmer being Dr Brodsky's latest psuedonymn I presume?

Mendelssohn's popularity does seem to have taken a dip (apart from the violin concerto) in the last half of the 20th century, from the days when he was presented to Queen Victoria. Agree with Adrian on the Italian & Scottish, followed by the Reformation. Not too taken with the choral one though, perhaps time to give it another listen.  I suppose I have a soft spot for the Italian (serendipitous moment?) as it was the very first LP we got around 1951 for our new radiogram which would play these new fangled records. A 10 inch Decca played perhaps appropriately enough by the Turin Symphony Orch conducted by Mario Rossi, details engrained on my memory!

Don't forget his 12 string symphonies, works of a young man, interesting and entertaining at least. Among his five symphonies, I prefer the first (Flor on RCA), the 3rd 'Scottish' (Bernstein on DG or Masur on RCA) and sometimes the 5th (Munch on RCA).

But I concur that the best Mendelssohn is found in his chamber music (Sqs & piano trios particularly), his fantastic overtures (hebrides & fingal's cave....), the midsummer night's dream (incidental music) and his 2nd violin concerto that sounds fresh w/ plenty of vigour: one of the best indeed.

I must confess that I should explore his vocal&choral music more: it seems very promissing: songs, motets, cantatas, oratorios (paulus & elijah).

Mendelssohn is possibly a composer judged for waht he wasn't rather than what he was.

I feel that he was very much following on in the tradition of Schubert, Hummel and  the like. I enjoy his symphonies - but they have to be enjoyed on their own terms rather than "not quite Beethoven".

The Scottish symphony is the longest of the instrumental symphonies with two part opening and closing movements. It conveys the enjoyment FM must have had from his trip to Scotland. The Italian sparkles the most, and is the shortest. The Reformation was written to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Augsburg confession and includes the chorale melody "Ein Feste Burg" written by Luther and used by Bach. It's a powerful but solemn work.

The first symphony is good but doesn't stick in my brain quite as much.

The string symphonies are little crackers!

P

Surely you haven't forgotten what he achieved in earlier incarnations?

Vic.