Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11: 1. Allegro molto
2. Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11: 2. Andante
3. Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11: 3. Menuetto. Allegro molto
4. Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11: 4. Allegro con fuoco
5. Octet for strings in E flat major, Op. 20: Scherzo in G minor
6. A Midsummer Night's Dream, overture, Op. 21
7. The Hebrides, overture for orchestra in B minor ('Fingal's Cave'), Op. 26
8. Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, overture in D major, Op. 27

Disc 2:

1. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 1. Sinfonia: Maestoso con moto - Allegro - Maestoso con moto
2. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 1. Sinfonia: Allegretto un poco agitato
3. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 1. Sinfonia: Adagio religioso
4. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 2. Allegro moderato maestoso - Allegro di molto: "Alles, was
5. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 2. Molto più moderato ma con fuoco: "Lobe den Herrn, meine Se
6. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 3. Recitativo: "Saget es, die ihr erlöset seid durch den Herr
7. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 3. Allegro moderato: "Er zählet unsre Tränen in der Zeit der
8. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 4. Chor. A tempo moderato: "Sagt es, die ihr erlöset seid"
9. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 5. Andante: "Ich harrete des Herrn"
10. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 6. Allegro un poco agitato - Allegro assai agitato - Tempo 1
11. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 7. Allegro maestoso e molto vivace: "Die Nacht ist vergangen"
12. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 8. Choral. Andante con moto - Un poco più animato: "Nun danke
13. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 9. Andante sostenuto assai: "Drum sing' ich mit meinem Liede
14. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major ('Lobgesang', 'Hymn of Praise'), Op. 52: 10. Allegro non troppo - Più vivace - Maestoso com 1: "Ihr Vö

Disc 3:

1. Symphony No. 3 in A minor ('Scottish'), Op. 56: 1. Andante con moto - Allegro un poco agitato
2. Symphony No. 3 in A minor ('Scottish'), Op. 56: 2. Vivace non troppo
3. Symphony No. 3 in A minor ('Scottish'), Op. 56: 3. Adagio
4. Symphony No. 3 in A minor ('Scottish'), Op. 56: 4. Allegro vivacissimo - Allegro maestoso assai
5. Overture for orchestra in E major ('Fair Melusina'), Op. 32
6. Overture for orchestra in C major ('Trumpet'), Op. 101
7. Ruy Blas, overture for orchestra in C minor, Op. 95

Disc 4:

1. Symphony No. 4 in A major ('Italian'), Op. 90: 1. Allegro vivace
2. Symphony No. 4 in A major ('Italian'), Op. 90: 2. Andante con moto
3. Symphony No. 4 in A major ('Italian'), Op. 90: 3. Con moto moderato
4. Symphony No. 4 in A major ('Italian'), Op. 90: 4. Saltarello. Presto
5. Symphony No. 5 in D major/D minor ('Reformation'), Op. 107: 1. Andante - Allegro con fuoco
6. Symphony No. 5 in D major/D minor ('Reformation'), Op. 107: 2. Allegro vivace
7. Symphony No. 5 in D major/D minor ('Reformation'), Op. 107: 3. Andante
8. Symphony No. 5 in D major/D minor ('Reformation'), Op. 107: 4. Chorale "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott" Andante con moto - Allegro ma
9. Overture for wind instruments in C major ('Harmoniemusik'), Op. 24

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8311 in Music
• Released on: 2002-05-14
• Number of discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .32 pounds

Customer Reviews

Abbado's Fine Mendelssohn Symphony Cycle
Deutsche Grammophon has united all of Abbado's Mendelssohn recordings with the London Symphony Orchestra in this inexpensive 4 CD set. Without question, Abbado's Mendelsson symphony cycle, recorded in the mid 1980's, remains among the best. The highlights include splendid performances of the 2nd, 4th and 5th symphonies, with the others almost as fine, with Abbado opting for brisk tempi and emphasizing the scores' broad orchestral textures. A splendid surprise is the inclusion of the orchestrated version of Scherzo in G minor for the Octet (Opus 20), which Mendelssohn regarded as an alternative 3rd movement for his first full-fledged symphony (Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Opus 11.). Other works included in this compilation include all of Mendelssohn's overtures, most notably "The Hebrides" (Opus 26), and the overture to Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (Opus 21). The sound quality is quite superb, though may be a bit dry in comparison to recordings made at the Vienna Philharmonic's concert hall. Avid fans of Abbado and Mendelssohn's music will surely want to acquire this collection.

Superb recordings
At this price, this box-set (4 CD) is a must have for admirers of Mendelssohn and any collectors.
The performances of all works are very good (Especially, Symphony No. 3 and 4).

And there are seven overtures including, not too known "Trumpet-Overture", "Fair Melusina" and beatiful "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage".

And there is the best recording of his gorgeous "Symphony No. 2" ("Lobgesang"). Actually, this work be constitued in a cantata or an oratorio form and scored for two soloists, chorus, organ and orchestra.

I think, the best recordings in all CDs' are Symphony No. 3 "Scottish" (dedicated to Quenn Victoria) and No. 4 "Italian". As you know, both of these works tells about impression of his voyages and also, he written famous "The Hebrides" in addition with his "Scottish" Symphony. I like especially 2nd (slow) movement of No. 3 and there is a very good example of counterpoint. And also, from No. 4 (Italian), I like 3rd movement. This is a very elegant minuetto and there is a soli for horns in Trio. And especially this movement tells very good that the landscapes of Italy (ex. woodland scenes narrates by horns in this movement). Still, I admire that, Mendelssohn is a master in to explain the lanscapes on music.

Highly recommended.

Excellent Collection of Mendelssohn
Set captures one of the premier recordings of Mendelssohn's symphonies and overtures, done by London Symphony Orchestra led by Claudio Abbado.

Included is a well interpreted version of the infamous "A Midsummer Night's Dream" which initially catapulted Mendelssohn to fame and continued to be a favorite, with its spellbinding imagery and mood.

Especially delightful in this set is the finale to the Scottish Symphony, with its delightful coda. The Reformation Symphony is well interpreted here also with its vocal fugue type ending.

The Overtures provided are magnificent as well, highlighted by the excellent Overture for Wind Instruments and the infamous "Calm Sea, Prosperous Voyage" which became signatuatory for this composer around literary themes.

Excellent enjoyment of the breadth and depth of this prolific and versatile composer, from sacred to choral to operatic to the symphonic.