Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos. 3 "Scottish" & 5 "Reformation"

1. Symphony No. 3 in A minor ("Scottish"), Op. 56
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Bernard Haitink

2. Symphony No. 5 in D major/D minor ("Reformation"), Op. 107
Composed by Felix Mendelssohn
Performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Bernard Haitink

Tracks:

Canon In D
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3: Allegro
The Four Seasons - The Winter: Largo And Allegro
Fanfare ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme)
Camerata Romana: Air For The 'G' String
'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21 ('Elvira Madigan' Theme): Andante
Introduction To Symphony No. 5
'William Tell' Overture: Finale
'Aida': Triumphal March
On The Beautiful, Blue Danube Waltz
'The Nutcracker': Waltz Of The Flowers
'1812' Overture: Finale

Tracks:

Sabre Dance
'Light Cavalry' Overture: Finale
Carmen: The Toreadors
' Midsummer Night's Dream': Wedding March
Radetzky March
Symphony No. 9, 'Choral': Finale
'Prince Igor': Polovstian Dance No. 17
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Sleepers, Wake
Water Music: Hornpipe
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
Emperor Waltz
'Emperor' Quartet: St. Anthony's Chorale
'The Tales Of Hoffman': Barcarolle
L'Arlesienne: Farandole
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Mirlitons
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
'Rhapsody In Blue': Highlight
'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can

Tracks:

Introduction To 'Also sprach Zarathustra'
Symphony No. 4, 'Italian': Saltarello: Presto
Piano Concerto No. 20: Romance
'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries
'The Four Seasons' - The Spring: Allegro
Toccata and Fugue
Trumpet Voluntary
'Royal Fireworks Music': la rejouissance: Allegro
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
London Festival Orchestra: Overture To 'The Barber Of Seville'
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto

Tracks:

Carmina Burana: Introduction To 'Carmina Burana'
Peer Gynt: Dawn From 'Peer Gynt'
Lohengrin: Prelude To 'Lohengrin'
'Lieutenant Kije': Troika From 'Lieutenant Kije'
Adiago For Strings
'Carmen': Habanera From 'Carmen'
'Double' Concerto: Allegro From 'Double' Concerto
The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture To 'The Marriage Of Figaro'
(Rondo) Alla Turca
Xerxes: Largo From 'Xerxes'
Symphony No. 5: Allegro vivace From Symphony No. 5
'Swan Lake': Scene: Enchanted Lake From 'Swan Lake'
Clair De Lune
Bolero

Customer Reviews:

CD set is misnamed.......2007-06-08

They should have titled this "classical music for people who love classical music" because most of the selections are typical classical music. The title suggests it would be lively selections of "light classical" music that is more upbeat, i.e. Sabre Dance, etc. I really don't hate classical music at all and have many classical CDs in my collection but I really wanted to hear more exciting selections. I won't be purchasing any more of this set but if you like traditional classical music these are good one.

Do not Buy.......2007-02-21

I do know it says classical music for people who hate it, but serioulsly you would have better luck never listening to classical music again. The recordings are awfull and do not do justice to any of the composers. Buy something else.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music.......2007-01-30

We love this set of CD's. I just got a new copy because my kids keeping taking our first copy with them so that they can listen at work or in their bedrooms but then I can never find them.

Seek better versions.......2006-12-09

If you are fairly new to classical purchases then compilation CD's can be useful for deciding what to buy next. Sometimes you only need a small taste of a piece to inspire you to buy a release with the whole performance on. The problem with this compilation however is that most of the versions are poor in performance or recording quality (or both) when compared to the best versions and the fact that the conductors aren't even credited on the track listing made me suspect that this would be the case. One of my favorite classical pieces is Tchaikovsky's 1812 festival overture but if the first CD version I had heard had been the finale excerpt that is on this compilation I may not have gone on to buy the whole thing. Luckily I heard Adrian Leaper's version first and Adrian's version is rather good.
My classical CD buying experience is limited to only a couple of dozen discs but I have found that the Naxos and Deutshe Grammophon releases are fairly safe. Avoid any release which does not name the conductors on the track listing or sleeve notes.

It Is What It Is.......2006-10-27

It's fitting that this page is fraught with the same kind of silly snobbery that turns people off from classical music (and necessitates collections like this) in the first place.

Any criticism of this compilation, which focuses on the quality of the performances or the fact that many tracks are excerpts, misses the point. This is not a collection for people who consider such things, nor does it purport to be. The idea is to package as many ultra-famous classical melodies as possible in one affordable collection and market it to people who have never purchased a classical recording. As such, top-tier performances are likely too expensive to be sold so cheaply and are unnecessary anyway. Those of us who already know and love a piece or two can forgive the compilers the inclusion of sub-par recordings, when we are exposed to so many other beautiful pieces for the first time.

It probably comes as a shock for some to hear that most people are not familiar with these classics. We may hear snippets on TV or movies, but are left with no idea as to the composer or historical context. With that in mind, it is extremely intimidating to begin buying classical. I suppose those among us, who so thoroughly dismissed the very notion of a boxed set like this, would have us begin by buying full albums by reputable interpreters. Surprisingly enough though, the majority of people would consider that a tad cost-prohibitive.

To conclude, this is a STARTER collection. It will either affirm a listener's feelings about classical music or lead to an interest in purchasing better recordings. Ideally, I suppose the interpretations would be better, but, for reasons mentioned above, that just isn't in the cards for a collection of this nature. If you're familiar with 50 different recordings of "The Ring" series, or have season tickets to the New York Philharmonic, then this probably isn't for you. For us cretins with limited foreknowledge of classical music though, it serves as a succinct introduction with little to complain about.

Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos. 4 "Italian" & 5 "Reformation"

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Mendelssohn: Symphonies by Felix Mendelssohn, John Eliot Gardiner
Polished document of an inveterate musical self-critic
Mendelssohn Served with Utmost Elegance
Popular classics
Absolutely wonderful

Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos. 4 "Italian" & 5 "Reformation"

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem Op.45

ASIN: B00000I93Q
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

1. Allegro vivace
2. Andante con moto
3. Con moto moderato
4. Saltarello. Presto
1. Andante - Allegro con fuoco
2. Allegro vivace
3. Andante - attacca
4. Choral (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott) Andante con moto - Allegro vivace - Allegro maestoso
2. Andante con moto
3. Menuetto. Con moto grazioso
4. Saltarello. Allegro di molto

Amazon.com

Mendelssohn was not like Beethoven or Verdi--his second thoughts were not always better than his first. In fact, not one of the changes he made in his 1834 revision to the Italian Symphony--recorded here for the first time, alongside the original version of 1833--strikes me as an improvement; indeed, the later effort sounds more like a first draft, thinner, more repetitive, melodically less engaging. Nonetheless, it's good to have the composer's refashioning of the score on disc, especially when it's performed as confidently as here, if only to give us a renewed appreciation of what he achieved the first time around. For the familiar version of the Italian Symphony is certainly a masterpiece. And the performance it receives here from the Vienna Philharmonic and John Eliot Gardiner is one of the best currently available: polished and energetic, with plenty of the elegance one expects in Mendelssohn, even when he's at his most animated. The account of the Reformation Symphony, recorded live, is marginally less successful as an interpretation, though the orchestra's playing leaves little to be desired. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Mendelssohn: Symphonies by Felix Mendelssohn, John Eliot Gardiner.......2007-01-12

A super recording with a dynamic conductor

Polished document of an inveterate musical self-critic.......2006-08-10

The ease and elegance of his music makes it tempting to believe that for Felix Mendelssohn, one of the great musical prodigies of history, the creative process was spontaneous and effortless. This CD of both the original and the recently unearthed revision of one of his most beloved works, the "Italian" Symphony No. 4, gives the lie to this myth. After successfully premiering the work in London in 1833, Mendelssohn, dissatisfied with the score, almost immediately began revising the last three movements--he desisted from tinkering with the first only because he was convinced a complete rewriting would be necessary, and hesitated to tackle such a Herculean task. In fact the changes in the movements that were revised are noticeable even to a listener not following a score.

It would be pleasant to report that the later revisions make a lovely work even more satisfying. In truth, they leave a mixed impression. In the 1834 version Mendelssohn retouches many details of the orchestration, giving more prominence overall to the winds. He simplifies the solemn theme of the second movement, but undercuts the apparent aim of increased austerity with the richer and more colorful scoring. The third movement receives the most extensive changes. With the arguable exception of a new and interesting transition back to the main section from the central trio, none of the alterations in the melodic line is any more beautiful than the flowing, graceful original. The central trio discards the dotted rhythms of the earlier version in favor of smooth interjections from the violins, pointing up the relationship to the main section but losing the airiness and grace that most listeners find to be one of Mendelssohn's most appealing traits. In comparison the insertion of an additional section, repeating an earlier theme, in the Presto finale seems a relatively minor alteration.

Even Fanny Hensel, Mendelssohn's sister and an accomplished composer in her own right, occasionally lamented her brother's inability to leave a good thing well enough alone. Schumann in his later years revised many of his most famous early piano works. Posterity has judged his alterations to be inferior to the freshness and fantasy of the originals. One has the feeling that the revised "Italian" Symphony may suffer the same fate.

If indeed this is the case, it won't be the fault of the performances on this disc. Only in some slightly scrappy string passages in the first movement of the "Italian" do the Vienna Philharmonic and Gardiner sound a bit ill at ease. Otherwise orchestra and conductor capture the polished grace of both versions of the Symphony to perfection, and also make a strong case for the Symphony No. 5, the "Reformation," (actually written earlier than No. 4 and similarly unpublished during the composer's lifetime) bringing out its drama and varied moods, and minimizing its tendencies toward sanctimony. This CD is an essential addition to anyone's symphonic library.

Mendelssohn Served with Utmost Elegance.......2006-04-05

John Eliot Gardiner may have been specializing in choral works with his fine forays into the Bach cantata series and his recordings of opera and oratorio, but his ability to spring to life the old standards of the repertoire was never more evident than in this fine recording of the Mendelssohn Symphonies 4 and 5. And in keeping with his academic penchant for 'true performances' he has graciously included Mendelssohn's own revisions to his symphony No. 4. It makes for an interesting survey for the aficionado and proves that composers' second thoughts are at times not as engaging as their intial spurt of inspiration!

Gardiner conducts the Salzburg Vienna Philharmoniker in what seems to be the finest recorded version of Symphony No. 4 in A major ("Italian"), Op. 90 in the catalogue. It is sprightly, full of zest and warmth, and yet always elegant. It is a masterful performance. The added revisions are likewise well performed, but serve as only interesting addenda to the wonderful reading of the original.

Gardiner's performance of the Symphony No. 5 in D major/D minor ("Reformation"), Op. 107 is also a model of superior architecture. His attention to inner voices and details in orchestration never impede the overall impact of the spirit of the symphony. Both of these symphonies are given fresh light and greater dignity and it is satisfying to hear the standard repertoire works handled so expertly. Grady Harp, April 06

Popular classics.......2006-01-07

Felix Mendelssohn was a Romantic composer who embraced the ideals of classicism when that trend in the Germanic countries were falling out of favor, save a few. The two symphonies represented on this disk show both the Romantic and Classicist: Symphony No. 4 "Italian" and Symphony No. 5 "Reformation".

The famous Symphony No. 4 is inspired after a trip to Italy, and so subtitled the Italian symphony. Like in his third symphony, the Scottish, Mendelssohn stays away from any direct quotes of folk music, but uses the ideas, modes, and dance rhythms of the culture in his symphony. The sunny first movement has the famous leaping melody, which literally drips with joy. The clarinets and bassoon have a secondary melody of simplicity, but still with optimism. The development, with whimsical strings, leads to a darker march, but all gloom is pushed aside for a happy conclusion. The mood quickly changes in the second movement with unison woodwinds and strings, and a mournful bassoon/oboe duet. The unswerving walking bass throughout gives the movement perpetual motion and an almost martial quality. Some serenity shines through when the flute ensemble sings, but the gloom prevails. The third movement is more a courtly dance in the style of Mozart. Woodwinds dot the string-based movement, and besides a bassoon/horn call, gentility presides. The whirlwind fourth movement is in the form of an Italian dance known as the Saltarello. The movement is almost menacing, with constantly repeated unison notes and an uneven switch between duples and triples. Gardiner chooses forward-moving tempos throughout, but especially in the Saltarello, where the Vienna Philharmonic show their virtuosity. He gives the triplets a fleet-footed quality, whereas the duples get extra weight, adding to the menacing sound. In addition, throughout the work, great work and detail has been put into the inner parts, which now receive as much attention by the listener, as the melody. Gardiner's love of the work is evident, and his swifter approach works well, without losing musicality. Many of the movements are based in dance forms, and the Vienna Philharmonic, whose history is steeped in dance forms, makes the music sparkle, not dwelling in unneeded heaviness or stuffiness. A fresh perspective of a popular work.

Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5 (chronologically his 2nd) was written for the 300th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, hence the subtitle Reformation symphony. A bit more serious sounding than the Fourth Symphony, it opens with a grand processional, and eventually into a faster section whose theme is a perfect fifth, much like a trumpet call. The action is interrupted occasionally, by a Dresden Amen cadence, a reminder of the religious subject. The second movement is a bit more upbeat, with an almost waltz-like feel. The third movement, primarily strings, seems to be a short prelude to the final movement, especially since there is no break. The finale is heralded on flute alone on the famous chorale, Ein feste Burg (A Mighty Fortress). An ingenious natural crescendo (by adding instruments) is very effective as it dramatically builds into an emotional cadence into the final fast section. The British march section (or so it sounds) has a stately melody mingled with quotations of the chorale, and a forceful conclusion. John Eliot Gardiner is faithful to the score, relishing in Mendelssohn's own dynamic and articulation markings, and bringing out the natural melodic materials. Again, great attention to detail, capturing a totally different mood than the previous symphony, with great success.

In addition, 20+ minutes of Mendelssohn's revisions of the Italian Symphony has been restored and performed. Probably only interesting to die-hard Mendelssohn fans, a unique addition to the disk. As mentioned, a fresh look at Mendelssohn's music, bringing out detail and the composer's innate classicism, with Vienna's lightness and fruity sound. An easy choice for anyone who wants these symphonies.

Absolutely wonderful.......2005-11-28

Wonderful recordings of Mendelssohn #4 & #5.

The recording of the conventional 4 is stunning. So clear and many inner parts come out which are not normally heard. So this is now my favourite recording of this wonderfully fresh piece.

#5 is done just as nicely: fresh and clear.

Interesting to have the other version of #4 too.

Average customer rating:

No. 1 Wedding Album

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000095J85
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

Wedding Bells - The #1 Wedding Album
Bridal Chorus - Wagner
Allegro - Peter Hurford
Trumpet Tune And Air - Philip Jones
Prelude - Pierre Cochereau
Air - J.S. Bach
Largo In F - Randall Wolfgang
Sheep May Safely Graze - J.S. Bach
Largo Ma Non Tanto - Regis Pasquier
My Heart Will Go On - Patricia Spero
Panis Angelicus - Luciano Pavarotti
Ave Maria - Lisa Otto
One Hand, One Heart - Jose Carreras
Alleluja (Allegro) - Arleen Auger
See The Conquering Hero Comes - Simon Preston
Let The Bright Seraphim - Joan Sutherland
Alla Hornpipe - Handel
Wedding March - Stephen Cleobury

Tracks:

Bridal Chorus - Stephen Cleobury
Trumpet Voluntary - John Wilbraham
Trumpet Tune In C - Purcell
Allegro - Maurice Andre
Sonata - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Canon In D - Pachelbel
The Heart Asks Pleasure First - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
Sleepers Awake - Peter Hurford
Greensleeves - Goran Sollscher
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
O Mio Babbino Caro - Ranata Tebaldi
How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place - John Scott
Be My Love - Jose Carreras
Because - Placido Domingo
Rondeau - Simon Preston
Wedding Day At Troldhaugen - Wolfgang Marschner
Canzon In Imitation Of An English Bergamask - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
La Rejouissance - Handel
Wedding March - Mendelssohn

Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4; Hebrides Overture

Average customer rating:

Italian with lots of spice, Scotch with too much ice
Desert-Island "Italian"
Szell's Italian is top notch.
Get it for the Szell

Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4; Hebrides Overture
Felix Mendelssohn , George Szell , Sir Andrew Davis , and Cleveland Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000027AL
Release Date: 1991-08-19

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': I. Andante Con Moto - Allegretto Un Poco Agitato
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': II. Vivace Non Troppo
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': III. Adagio
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 56 'Scottish': IV. Allegro Vivacissimo - Allegro Maestoso Assai
Symphony No. 4 In A Major . Op. 90 'Italian': I. Allegro Vivace
Symphony No. 4 In A Major . Op. 90 'Italian': II. Andante Con Moto
Symphony No. 4 In A Major . Op. 90 'Italian': III. Con Moto Moderato
Symphony No. 4 In A Major . Op. 90 'Italian': IV. Saltarello - Presto
'The Hebrides' Overture ('Fingal's Cave'), Op. 26: Allegro Moderato - Animato In Tempo

Customer Reviews:

Italian with lots of spice, Scotch with too much ice.......2006-01-29

The Szell Mendelssohn is a recording I first heard in the late '60s via LP. I then bought the cassette and later the CD version. One hundred years from now, the Italian should be of legendary status. The orchestral playing is simply astonishing. I have heard it at least 100 times and still cannot believe that any orchestra could play with that kind of precision. The slow movement is a little too fast for my taste but the rest of the performance is magnificent. A must CD for any classical collection. The Hebrides is also close to perfection. Unfortunately, Sony decided to include a rather tepid performance of the Scotch symphony. It is very cold and boring. Andrew Davis and George Szell are simply not in same league and should not be on the same CD. When Sony was Columbia Masterworks, its 4 main conductors were Bruno Walter, Leonard Bernstein, Eugene Ormandy and of course Szell. Andrew Davis does not fit in with that group at all.

Desert-Island "Italian".......2004-04-13

For 30 years -- from LP to CD to SACD -- this has been my touchstone "Italian" Symphony performance. In all that time, no other performance has come even close to displacing it in my esteem. Szell and Cleveland magically capture the unique quicksilver essence of Mendelssohn's soul to produce moments (like the first-movement coda) of such transcendental perfection that I choke up every time over the sheer glory of it all. (Who says Mendelssohn is an emotional "lightweight"? Stravinsky certainly knew better!)

This symphony is one of music's few perfect pinnacles -- and this is the recording that best lets us hear why Felix's masterwork remains imperishably fresh. Buy whatever format your equipment can handle. It will delight you to the end of your days.

Szell's Italian is top notch........2001-08-15

These three works exhibit Mendelssohn's superb orchestration skill. The "Italian" by Szell is marvelous and alone justifies buying the disk. The Hebrides Overture, too, is done wonderfully and shouldn't be overlooked. The "Scottish" by Davis is very enjoyable but not in the same league. The recording quality of the Szell portions done in 1960 are very warm and vinyl-like overall. The others seem over-engineered.

Get it for the Szell.......2000-11-18

I'm in complete agreement with those below--this is the best performance of the "Italian" Symphony of Mendelssohn around. Szell's strings are not as lush as many modern recordings, but compensate brilliantly with razor-sharp articulation and a real vibrant sense of phrasing. The music positively leaps off the page where it often lies there for other conductors. The winds all play with far more character than one finds these days as well.

All in all, Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra were a truly great team which has seldom if ever been matched since. This is one of their best recordings, but don't miss their Beethoven Third and Schubert Ninth if you can find them because they also have a great sense immediacy.

Tracks:

Pre-Wedding, Signing Of The Registry And General Music: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Pre-Wedding, Signing Of The Registry And General Music: Concerto In D Minor - Siciliano
Pre-Wedding, Signing Of The Registry And General Music: Water Music Suite No.1 - Air
Pre-Wedding, Signing Of The Registry And General Music: Oboe Concerto In D Minor - Adagio
Pre-Wedding, Signing Of The Registry And General Music: Orchestral Suite, No.3 In D - Air
Ombra mai fu (Xerxes)
Prelude To The Ceremony: Caro mio ben
Prelude To The Ceremony: Bist du bei mir (Thou art Near)
Prelude To The Ceremony: Sich uben im Lieben ('Wedding' Cantata No.202)
Prelude To The Ceremony: Let The Bright Seraphim (Samson)
Prelude To The Ceremony: Trumpet Voluntary
Prelude To The Ceremony: Canon In D
Whrer'er You Walk (Semele)
Recessional: The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
Recessional: Water Music: Alla Hornpipe
Recessional: Cantata No.29 - Sinfonia In D
Recessional: Rondeay (Suite No.1 - 'Masterpiece Theater' Theme)
Recessional: Cantata No.51 - Alleluia
Bridal Chorus (Lohengrin)
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Wedding March (A Midsummer's Night Dream)

Customer Reviews:

Definitely worth a close look!.......2004-06-22

All of the songs on this CD are beautiful, and the CD is even labeled showing their choice of music dedicated to different parts of a wedding, but you don't have to use them as suggested. I arrived to Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary, less traditional than Wagner's Lohengrin but no less thrilling, and I thought it appropriate given the setting of a late a.m. garden wedding. We made our hasty exit to Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, which I have loved since I was a little girl and even though is called "'Arrival' of the Queen of Sheba", it was my wedding and I did it the way I wanted. Do it YOUR way, to music YOU love. It's your day! Good luck!!!!

A Perfect Gift.......2001-07-12

I love this cd! I actually own "Baroque for Bathtime" which is why I thought of this cd for my future sister-in-law. I think it will make a perfect little pre-wedding gift!

Great Music.......2000-02-23

I love this cd! Its probably one of the better buys I made concerning my wedding. Like most people, I have no idea what classical music is appropriate for a wedding, and for the wedding I hope to have. Listening to this cd has helped me make more intelligent choices and be more informed especially when I'm dealing with the church music director. I feel more confident knowing that I am familiar with the choices before me.

The renditions of the music is wonderful too. I always thought the Bridal Chorus from Lohegrin too "common" but listening to the orchestra and choir on this cd has changed my mind--its a beautiful interpretation of the song that's sure to bring a tear or two.

Baroque for Brides-to-be.......1999-12-04

Short and sweet: I am looking for wedding music to be played while guests are being seated, and I'm only having 2 songs sung by actual vocalists. Just listening to the music for reviewing is enough to bring tears to my eyes. My wedding is coming up in April 2000, so there is a lot of emotion going on inside of this bride-to-be. All in all, so far it is a beautiful album.

Mendelssohn: String Symphonies Nos. 1 - 6

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Stellar String Symphonies
The Perfect Thing

Mendelssohn: String Symphonies Nos. 1 - 6

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000145E
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 In C Major: Allegro
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Symphony No. 1 In C Major: Allegro
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Symphony No. 2 In D Major: Andante
Symphony No. 2 In D Major: Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 3 In E Minor: Allegro di molto
Symphony No. 3 In E Minor: Andante
Symphony No. 3 In E Minor: Allegro
Symphony No. 4 In C Minor: Grave-Allegro
Symphony No. 4 In C Minor: Andante
Symphony No. 4 In C Minor: Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major: Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major: Andante
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major: Presto
Symphony No. 6 In E Flat Major: Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In E Flat Major: Menuetto - Trio I - Menuetto - Trio II
Symphony No. 6 In E Flat Major: Prestissimo

Customer Reviews:

Stellar String Symphonies.......2007-05-25

This is the first of a three disc collection of Mendelssohn's youthful and energetic String Symphonies, and they are absolutely the top choice in not only performance and sound but also price. This is music from a charming, melodic, and lyrical young composer at his priceless best. Just listen to the way Volume 1 begins, and I challenge you to find a complete set that rivals these Naxos readings by Ward and the Northern Chamber Orchestra. I believe they truly bring out the Mozartian influence of Mendelssohn laced throughout these early works. There isn't much more to say- I give this cycle my highest recommendation. Snatch them up now while they're still in print: what a find!

The Perfect Thing.......2003-10-10

These little symphonies, composed by the barely teenaged Mendelssohn (begun at 12, done at 14!), are the perfect thing for many purposes, including homework, reading or other projects. The tunes are delightful, the playing likewise. This disc has six three movement symphonies, lasting just over an hour. All 62 minutes are delightful.

Average customer rating:

Pleased
A wedding minister's review

Forever in Love

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classical Wedding
Great Movie Love Themes: Five Star Collection

ASIN: B000000BM6
Release Date: 1997-04-22

Tracks:

Prelude: Air For The 'G' String - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Prelude: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - St. Louis Brass Quintet
Prelude: On Wings Of Song - Nancy Enslin
Prelude: Bach's Arloso - St. Louis Brass Quintett
Prelude: Bach's Prelude In C Major - Christiane Jaccottet
Prelude: Large From 'Xerxes' - London Festival Orchestra
Seating Of The Mothers: Schubert's Ave Maria - Nancy Enslin
Seating Of The Mothers: Bach/Gounod's Ave Maria - Nancy Enslin
Seating Of The Mothers: Sheep May Safely Graze - Philip Brunelle
Processional: Bridal March From 'Lohengrin' (A. K. A. 'Here Comes The Bride') - Lubljana Radio Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
Processional: Pachelbel's Canon In D Major - Collegium Aureum
Processional: Trumpet Voluntary - Lyn Larsen
Processional: Trumpet Tune In C Major - Carlo Curfey
Lighting Of the Unity Candle: O Perfect Love - Nancy Enslin
Prayer (After The Exchange Of Vows And Rings): The Lord's Prayer - Karyn List/Nancy Enslin
Recessional: Wedding March From 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' - London Festival Orchestra
Recesionnal: Finale ('Ode To Joy') From Beethoven's Symphony No.9, 'Choral' - Nancy Enslin
Recessional: Le Rondeau ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme) - Collegium Aureum
Recessional: Alla Hornpipe From 'Water Music' Suite - London Festival Orchestra

Tracks:

Prelude: When I Fall In Love (Sleepless in Seattle) - Spectrum
Prelude: (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Spectrum
Prelude: Unchained Melody 'Ghost' - Van Craven
Prelude: Endless Love - FLORIDA SYMPHONIC POPS
Prelude: The Wind Beneath My Wings (A. K. A. Hero) From 'Beaches' - Van Craven
Prelude: Through The Eyes Of Love From 'Ice Castles' - Karyn List/Nancy Enslin
Seating Of The Mothers: Forever In Love - Spectrum
Seating Of The Mothers: Save The Best For Last - Spectrum
Processional: A Time For Us From 'Romeo And Juliet' - Nancy Enslin
Processional: Vangeli's Hymne - Nancy Enslin
Lighting Of The Unity Candle: I Love You Always Forever - Spectrum
Lighting Of The Unity Candle: One Hand, One Heart From 'West Side Story' - FLORIDA SYMPHONIC POPS
Lighting Of The Unity Candle: The Wedding Song (A. K. A. There Is Love) - FLORIDA SYMPHONIC POPS
Lighting Of The Unity Candle: All I Ask of You From 'The Phantom Of The Opera' - Van Craven
Lighting Of The Unity Candle: Whither Thou Goest - Karyn List/Nancy Enslin

Customer Reviews:

Pleased.......2006-07-31

I was very pleased with this product, my sister recently got married and I was responsible for the music.... I am happy that I made this selection, everyone was happy with the music chosen for the ceremony, I would recommend it to any one looking for wedding music

A wedding minister's review.......2000-01-16

I just love this album. I am a wedding minister and many couples ask me about music for their ceremony. I am happy to recommend they buy this album for a wonderful selection of wedding music both traditional and contemporary performed by orchestras, keyboardists, harpists and others including a lovely soprano. One disc is traditional wedding selections and the other is contemporary. The selections are arranged in the order of a ceremony with choices for each part of the ceremony. The CD would be appropriate to use in a wedding if live music is not planned. I plan to add a link to this site from my website just so couples can check this album out for themselves.

Average customer rating:

nice but same old stuff

Relaxing With The Classics

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe
The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

ASIN: B00000JR06
Release Date: 1999-08-10

Tracks:

'Masterpiece Theater' Theme: Le Rondeau
'The Four Seasons': Allegro - 'The Spring'
Canon In D Major
'Water Music': Alla Hornpipe
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor - Bach
Air For The 'G' String - Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No.5: Allegro - Bach
Adagio For Strings And Organ
'Solomon': Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
Orchestral Suite No.2: Minuet And Badinerie - Bach
Concerto For Two Violins And Orchestra: Vivace - Bach
Oboe Concerto: Adagio - Marcello
Prelude And Fugue In C Major - Bach
'Brandenburg' Concerto No.3: Allegro - Bach
'Royal Fireworks Music': La Rejouissance
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1: Intro - Tchaikovsky
'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries
Piano Concerto No .2: Adagio sostenuto
Symphony No.4 Italian: Into - Mendelssohn
Polovstian Dance No. 17: Excerpt Polovstian Dance No. 17
Slavonic Dance No. 1
'On The Beautiful Blue Danube': Excerpt from 'On The Beautiful Blue Danube'
'La Boheme': Che gelida manina
'Cavalleria rusticana': Intermezzo
'Aida': Triumphal March
'The Nutcracker': Waltz Of The Flowers - Tchaikovsky
'Pictures At An Exibition': Promenade
Prelude to 'Lohengrin'
Symphony No. 9 'From The New World': Largo
'1812' Overture: Finale - Tchaikovsky
'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can
'William Tell' Overture: Finale

Customer Reviews:

nice but same old stuff.......2007-03-18

I was looking for seomthing new to listen to during massage, and I like classic music. What I realized when I listened to this and several more like it, is that it is all kind of boring. The reason I suppose is because there were only a limited number of composers in the last couple of centures, especially 17th through 19th centuries, so we've all heard it all before...

Nevertheless, this is a nice CD, very pleasant versions of classic works.

Average customer rating:

Harnoncourt's Fine Interpretations Of Mendelssohn's Scores

Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Andante con molto - Allegro un poco agitato
Symphony No. 3 In A minor, Op. 56: Vivace non troppo
Symphony No. 3 In A minor, Op. 56: Adagio
Symphony No. 3 In A minor, Op. 56: Allegro vivacissimo
Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In A major, Op. 90: Andante con molto
Symphony No. 4 In A major, Op. 90: Con molto moderato
Symphony No. 4 In A major, Op. 90: Saltarello: Presto

Customer Reviews:

Harnoncourt's Fine Interpretations Of Mendelssohn's Scores.......2002-01-09

Nikolaus Harnoncourt leads the Chamber Orchestra Of Europe in a pair of fine performances of Mendelssohn's 3rd and 4th symphonies. However, much to my amazement, these aren't as insightful as those I've heard from the likes of Blomstedt, Sinopoli, or even Gardiner. Instead, Harnoncourt's interpretations are suprisingly conventional. Yet I can still highly recommend this recording for the exquisite playing by the Chamber Orchestra Of Europe. Teldec's sound quality is as usual, quite exceptional.