| biography |
| A composer
who matched the beauty of classical and early romantic forms, Mendelssohn
(1809-1847) was energized by nature, art, and history. His mastery
of choral music is overshadowed only by his handsome symphonic and
chamber works. |
| recommended
recordings |
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Mendelssohn:
Symphonies 3 & 4, etc / Karajan, Berlin PO |
Composer:
Felix
Mendelssohn
Conductor: Herbert
von Karajan
Ensemble: Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra
Uni/Deutsche Grammophon - #449743 / August 12, 1997
Click
here for more information |
|
Karajan
at his best
These two symphonies were recorded in 1971, and 1973 - Karajan's
best and happiest years. Not so "perfect sound"
minded like in the sixties, Karajan has shifted into capturing
the spirit of the music. The Italian symphony is pure bursting
happiness and vitality, the scottish symphony is deeper, more
introspective, as is the Herbides overture. This recording,
particularly of the Italian symphony, is a must have.
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Beethoven,
Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos / Heifetz, Munch
|
Composer:
Ludwig
van Beethoven, Felix
Mendelssohn
Conductor: Charles
Munch
Performer: Jascha
Heifetz
Ensemble: Boston
Symphony Orchestra
Bmg/Rca Victor - #68980 / May 19, 1998
Click
here for more information |
|
RCA has coupled, recoupled, and re-recoupled their Heifetz
recordings in just about every conceivable incarnation, making
it very difficult and confusing for the collector to purchase
the best of them in a simple and straightforward way. This
"Living Stereo" reissue, however, really does offer the best
sound so far, and the performances are second to none. Heifetz's
Mendelssohn has always led the field: for lightness, athleticism,
grace, and virtuosity, it's unsurpassed. In a work that many...Read
more
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Mendelssohn:
Quartet no 3, Octet / Guarneri, Orion Quartets
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Composer:
Felix
Mendelssohn
Ensemble: Guarneri
String Quartet, Orion
String Quartet
Arabesque - #6714 / August 25, 1998
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here for more information
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Here is Mendelssohn at his most dazzling and exuberant. The
Octet, written at the incredible age of 16, combines a youthful,
carefree attitude with astonishing technical mastery and expressive
variety; the quartet, written 13 years later, frames two serene,
wistful movements with two bursts of sunshine. The playing
is fabulous. The corner movements of the Quartet are brilliant
but never hectic, the middle ones lovely and expressive; the
Guarneri's beauty of tone and transparency of texture are...Read
more
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Mendelssohn:
A Midsummer Night's Dream, etc / Abbado, et al
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Composer:
Felix
Mendelssohn
Conductor: Claudio
Abbado
Performer: Kenneth
Branagh, Angelika
Kirchschlager, et al.
Ensemble: Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra, Ernst
Senff Choir
Sony Classics - #62826 / December 17, 1996
Click
here for more information
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Claudio Abbado has a reputation as a fine Mendelssohn conductor,
one that he earned in his recording of the complete symphony
for DG. As so often happens, he as re-recorded the "Italian"
Symphony only a few years later for another label, and this
performance is fine, though not better than his earlier one.
What may be more appealing for many listeners, however, is
the coupling of the music Mendelssohn composed for Shakespeare's
play A Midsummer Night's Dream. You've heard this before,...Read
more
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Mendelssohn:
String Quartets Vol 3 / Aurora String Quartet
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Composer:
Felix
Mendelssohn
Performer: Sharon
Grebanier, Mariko
Smiley, et al.
Ensemble: Aurora
String Quartet
Naxos - #550863 / June 23, 1994
Click
here for more information |
|
This final volume of the Mendelssohn String Quartet series
contains two major works, along with two isolated late movements
published after the composer's death. Mendelssohn's String
Quartets aren't heard nearly as often as they deserve to be,
and it's a pleasure making their acquaintance (or reacquaintance)
in performances like these. The Aurora String Quartet is one
of those contemporary string quartets that plays on a technical
level unimagined a generation ago, with tight, precise ensemble...Read
more
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| works
& recordings |
|
- Chamber
Music
Trios, Quartets, Quintets
- Choral
Secular and sacred choral music. Oratorios, Masses, Partsongs,
Hymns, Carols
- Instrumental
Sonatas, Suites, Overtures, Minuets, Variations, Transcriptions,
Dance Music
- Orchestra
Concertos, Symphonies
- Theatrical
Works
Ballet, Stage, Incidental Music, Film Scores
- Vocal
and Opera
Opera, Operetta, Song, Lieder, Musical Theater
Complete
List of Works and Recordings
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| resources |
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