Mendelssohn Symphony No 2 Lobgesang

[Barbirollians]

Until buying the Naxos Maerkl recording I did not know this work at all . Giving it a spin tonight this strikes me as a bright and attractive performance - not a sniff of sentimental Victorian religiosity or a pale shadow of Beethoven 9 . Just an invigorating work in its own right - crisply played and sung.

Poor old Mendelssohn and Schumann left out of " Symphony " - the bridge between Beethoven and the later romantics - utterly ignored.

[Chris Newman]

Hi Barbirollians,

I love the orchestral symphonies of Mendelssohn but the Lobesgesang gives me the giggles. It is a personal thing, though I know I am not alone. There is something about the much repeated big tune dominating the work that I cannot take seriously. Coming back to "Symphony" and Mendelssohn. I know they were trying to cram a lot into a few programmes but cannot understand why either the Scottish or Italian symphonies did not get an honourable mention.

bws
Chris.

[rauschwerk]

Poor old Mendelssohn and Schumann left out of " Symphony " - the bridge between Beethoven and the later romantics - utterly ignored.

Yes, though Schumann's contribution was historically more important than Mendelssohn's because he introduced cyclic form into the symphony. This was no doubt regarded as too technical to discuss even on BBC4.

[EdgeleyRob]

Mendelssohn seems to get a raw deal anyhow.He wrote lots of wonderful chamber and piano music you know (and not just songs without words,there are piano sonatas too).See the many Naxos cds that are available.

[Roehre]

Mendelssohn seems to get a raw deal anyhow.He wrote lots of wonderful chamber and piano music you know (and not just songs without words,there are piano sonatas too).See the many Naxos cds that are available.

And don't forget the wunderful boxed sets of his chamber music, choral works and (13+5)symphonies on Brilliant.

Barbirollians, now buying the Naxos mendelssohn 2, does that mean you missed the excellent performance on a BBC Music CD (June 2009 issue)?

[Barbirollians]

Yes I must admit I don't buy every issue normally only if the cover CD takes my fancy like the recent Isserlis.

I will listen again to see what you mean Chris - but I like the tunes . The Adagio is a delight and the singing is very good on this version the tenor in particular. !

[barber olly]

Until buying the Naxos Maerkl recording I did not know this work at all . Giving it a spin tonight this strikes me as a bright and attractive performance - not a sniff of sentimental Victorian religiosity or a pale shadow of Beethoven 9 . Just an invigorating work in its own right - crisply played and sung.

Poor old Mendelssohn and Schumann left out of " Symphony " - the bridge between Beethoven and the later romantics - utterly ignored.

Mendelssohn and Schumann symphonies to me are always a joy to listen to, so full of lovely tunes. I think that Mendelssohn 2 is not played as often as it might be is the long choral part, which let's be honest, goes on a bit. Whilst I am normally peeved when odd movements are played, there is a good case for the orchestral sinfonia to be played on its own. Chris, chuckle if you wish, I'll just enjoy listening to some good tunes!
I've not heard the Markl Mend 2, but his recent Debussy CDs on Naxos have been really good.

[Alison]

I enjoy the first movement of the second symphony as a work in its own right !

Yes, I can go occasionally go on Essential Classics mode when it suits !

[Roehre]

I enjoy the first movement of the second symphony as a work in its own right !

Yes, I can go occasionally go on Essential Classics mode when it suits !

As do I

[Barbirollians]

Just listened through again . I get Chris's point but it is such a lovely tune it bears repeating - and the singing is excellent on the Naxos recording to my ears .