Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures [Box set]

Felix [1] Mendelssohn (Composer), Claudio Abbado (Conductor), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Elizabeth Connell (Performer), Karita Mattila (Performer), Hans Peter Blochwitz (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Elizabeth Connell, Karita Mattila, Hans Peter Blochwitz
• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Claudio Abbado
• Composer: Felix [1] Mendelssohn
• Audio CD (May 14, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B00005ONMP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,568 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Overtures
  • #30 in Music > Box Sets
  • #31 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Abbado's Fine Mendelssohn Symphony Cycle, July 24, 2002

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures (Audio CD)

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.

55 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb recordings, October 25, 2003

By 

Sungu Okan "Can Okan" (Istanbul, Istanbul Turkey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures (Audio CD)

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.

30 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Collection of Mendelssohn, May 5, 2003

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures (Audio CD)

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.