Symphony No. 4 (Mendelssohn)

The Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op 90, "Italian " (MWV N 16 ) by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy is a romantic symphony in four movements. The performance lasts about 30 minutes. Today The work is one of the most frequently performed orchestral works of Mendelssohn.

Historical Background

After Mendelssohn had in 1829 traveled to the British Isles, he broke in May of the following year, on to another educational trip to Italy, which was to last almost two years. The route led through Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Genoa and Milan. As a literary " guide " was Goethe's Italian Journey. Among the various impressions Mendelssohn began to conceive the symphony, which he then 1832/33 completed in Berlin.

The premiere took place on 13 May 1833 in the Philharmonic Society in London under the baton of the composer instead.

Mendelssohn worked the symphony to multiply. The work is in the series of symphonies Mendelssohn's actually the third, but it was not until 1851, that is after the " Scottish " misplaced and therefore received the higher numbering and opus number.

Construction

Occupation

2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings.

Description of the work

The first movement in A major is in sonata form and is continuously shaped by the lively main theme, while the second subject remains short and episodic. In performing Mendelssohn breaks the strict formal scheme of the classical symphony, by introducing a third topic for one, and based on the other implementing work almost exclusively on contrapuntal themes treatment.

Had Mendelssohn announced the symphony in 1831 in a letter yet as the " funniest piece I 've ever done ," he keeps this light, southern character through only in the outer movements. The middle movements of the symphony breathe in contrast, a much more melancholy, " nordischeren " character.

The second sentence in D minor is also a sonata (but without implementation ) of cantabile character. Mendelssohn composed the sentence under the impact of the death of his teacher Carl Friedrich Zelter and Goethe, both died in quick succession in the spring of 1832; melodic similarities of the main theme of this set with Zelter's setting of the ballad The King of Thule may therefore be understood as a tribute.

The third sentence is a quiet Menuettsatz in A major joins.

The final seven-part rondo in A minor is entitled saltarello, the name of an Italian Spring dance at a fast six- eight time. Mendelssohn reached in this set back to original Neapolitan folk tunes.

It is noteworthy that Mendelssohn's 4th Symphony begins in a major key and closes in a minor key. There is no other classical or romantic symphony known, in which the composer has also recorded.

Samples

Recording of the Skidmore College Orchestra, Source: http://www.musopen.com.

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