Praise for Praise - best Lobgesang?

[makropulos]

Morning all!

Any suggestions for Mendelssohn's Symph No. 2 aka Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise)?

What's your fave Felix?

Hi - for a recording of the Lobgesang, Chailly and the Leipzig Gewandhaus (Decca) is my own favourite version - very exciting as well as heartfelt. I happen to like the choral bits as well (clearly I'm in a vanishingly small minority on this board on the basis of earlier posts).

As for other favourite Mendelssohn, where to begin? Symphs 3, 4 and 5, Piano Conc 1, Violin Conc (E minor), Octet, and some of the other chamber music - not least the string quartets. Oh - and the concert overtures!

[Radio64]

Many thanks to all for suggestions and comments. I shall mull over and chew on't ...

[Stanfordian]

His output with opus numbers has to be split into two: opus 1-72 is by Mendelssohn (essentially chronologically ordered), 73-114 are posthumous in an almost at random chronological order, and then of course the works without an opus numer, including a range of concertos, all the string symphonies, a host of choral works and a whole range of chamber music, most, but by far not all, juvenilia.

His works were influential throughout Europe.
Nevertheless I am afraid his neglect is not completely undeserved IMO.
With FHG I am not a great fan of his choral works

His style showed very early on already very recognisable audible fingerprints; in his prodigy-composer-years he composed a lot, but then, and also throughout the rest of his composing career, his style and his fluency halted him in creating really great works IMVHO.

Hi Roehre,

In Mendelssohn's large choral output especially the sacred works there are a number of gems that I came across a few years ago when I reviewed the complete sacred choral works in 12 volumes directed by Frieder Bernius on the Carus label. A number of the Motet and Psalm settings are glorious: Tu es Petrus, Op. 111, Lauda Sion, Op 73, Hör mein Bitten, Hora est, Three Motets, Op.69, Salve Regina in E flat major et al. Of the secular choral works I think the cantata Die erste Walpurgisnacht is a neglected masterpiece but rarely performed. Apart from the well known octet and pair of piano trios there is much to discover namely the impressive string quartets including the four pieces, three piano quartets and two string quintets. Of the early chamber works I love to play the Concerto for piano and strings, Double Concerto for violin, piano and strings, Concerto for two pianos in E major, Concerto for two pianos in A flat major, piano sextet, the violin sonatas and the cello sonatas.

[Stanfordian]

Morning all!

Any suggestions for Mendelssohn's Symph No. 2 aka Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise)?

What's your fave Felix?

Hiya Radio 64,

To return to your original request. In the Mendelssohn Lobgesang, as has already been suggested, I would go for the Leipzig Gewandhaus under Riccardo Chailly (a conductor of great integrity) on Decca.

[Roehre]

Hi Roehre,

In Mendelssohn's large choral output especially the sacred works there are a number of gems that I came across a few years ago when I reviewed the complete sacred choral works in 12 volumes directed by Frieder Bernius on the Carus label. A number of the Motet and Psalm settings are glorious: Tu es Petrus, Op. 111, Lauda Sion, Op 73, Hör mein Bitten, Hora est, Three Motets, Op.69, Salve Regina in E flat major et al. Of the secular choral works I think the cantata Die erste Walpurgisnacht is a neglected masterpiece but rarely performed. Apart from the well known octet and pair of piano trios there is much to discover namely the impressive string quartets including the four pieces, three piano quartets and two string quintets. Of the early chamber works I love to play the Concerto for piano and strings, Double Concerto for violin, piano and strings, Concerto for two pianos in E major, Concerto for two pianos in A flat major, piano sextet, the violin sonatas and the cello sonatas.

No discussion about these pieces, Stanfordian, these certainly are top drawer pieces. But if we count these works they are but a small part of Mendelssohn's output. The string quartets, especially opp.12 (M knew his late Beethoven!) and the (very) late op.81-pieces, show that he was able to do other things than he usually wrote. I personally think that the death of Fanny set him on a road to more -let's call it- profound works. That's the impression what M's output too often makes : light weight works of a man who didn't have to fight for anything in the world - and whom fate eventually didn't treat mercifully either.

[EdgeleyRob]

Mendelssohn is one of my favourite composers.
Abbado and the LSO on DG make the Hymn of Praise sound like a masterpiece,which I reckon it is,although I'm not sure what makes a work a masterpiece.
You can get the complete Abbado Mendelssohn symphonies for about 12 quid on Amamzon (plus 7 overtures).
The chamber music is very special for me.
I would add the piano quartets (Naxos)to the works mentioned above,probably not masterpieces,or are they?,lovely music nonetheless.

[gurnemanz]

I discovered that my only version was Karajan + BPO as part of the huge and good value Symphony Box I got recently. I hadn't played his Lobgesang before and enjoyed it this afternoon. lovely contribution from Edith Mathis.

[Stanfordian]

Mendelssohn is one of my favourite composers.
Abbado and the LSO on DG make the Hymn of Praise sound like a masterpiece,which I reckon it is,although I'm not sure what makes a work a masterpiece.
You can get the complete Abbado Mendelssohn symphonies for about 12 quid on Amamzon (plus 7 overtures).
The chamber music is very special for me.
I would add the piano quartets (Naxos)to the works mentioned above,probably not masterpieces,or are they?,lovely music nonetheless.

Hiya EdgeleyRob,

Although my first choice is for Riccardo Chailly in the Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise) I can go along with your tip for Abbado with the LSO on DG and for von Karajan with the Berliner Philharmoniker also on DG.

[umslopogaas]

I have any number of versions of the Scottish and Italian symphonies, but just one of the 'Hymn of Praise': an old 2 lp Philips box set, of nos. 1 and 2. Wolfgang Sawallisch conducts the New Philharmonia, with Rotraud Hansmann, Waldemar Kmentt and Helen Donath. Lps dated 1967. The box cover has a painting of a town square with mountains behind, by the composer: judging by the comments on this thread, there are those who would say he was a more interesting painter than he was composer! I wouldnt, though, it is a skillfull and accurate but very dull painting. Bit like some of his choral stuff, I guess ...

[mercia]

there was another Lobgesang thread

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?3892-Mendelssohn-Symphony-No-2-Lobgesang&highlight=lobgesang

[Radio64]

I'm quite tempted by this newer recording.

[Stanfordian]

I'm quite tempted by this newer recording.

I have it and its not bad at all. See review:http://www.musicweb-international.co..._HMC902151.htm

[Radio64]

I have it and its not bad at all. See review:http://www.musicweb-international.co..._HMC902151.htm

Thanks. Good review too - I might well go for it.

[jayne lee wilson]

Most in love with the chamber music (especially Op 18, Op 80 & Op 12/13) & too, too familiar with symphonies 3&4, I held off from Hymn of Praise for ages - aural & emotional lack of sympathy with the large, 19thC choral tradition to blame. But when I finally DID get to know it I fell in love - and it was the thrilling entry of the chorus at the start of Part 2 Alles was odem hat that did it - it's a great moment!
Later there are gorgeous arias & duets to dwell upon, the melodically-seductive Ich harrete dem hern loveliest of all. Oddly enough, it's the three orchestral movements that I've found hardest to love - they always seem (necessarily) preludial.

Perhaps Mendelssohn's reach exceeded his grasp a little here but there are too many beauties to ignore. The two recordings I have, both highly recommended, are Litton live on BIS (a touch too spacious, perhaps, in the resonant Grieg Hall) and Fey's very dashing Heidelberg-HIPS number on Hanssler, which I've become most attached to.
I'm pleased now that this is such a fresh piece for me, as are Symphonies 1 and 5 - VERY distinctively played on a recent MDG set with Zehetmair and the (deep breath, say it with me, etc)) Musikkollegium Winterthur....

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

JLW, I don't know whether you've ever been a music critic. If so, great. If not, maybe you should have been. Your contributions are always illuminating.