Customer Reviews

Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos. 1 And 5

5 star:		(5)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Don't let the price fool you. This is one of the best performances of the Reformation Symphony, especially if you like power. Seifried has a way of highlighting the strengths of each section, the strings, the brass, and the winds. The sensitivity in the opening section of the first movement and the Dresden Amens reminds me of a California sunrise, which leads to a solid performance of the Allegro con fuoco (allegro with firepower). Also his ability to make every line come through clearly is a major asset in the "Ein Feste Burg" finale leading to the glorious climax at the end. If you like a power performance and do not mind tempos a little on the slow side, this is one of the best recordings of the Reformation Symphony you can get. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott!

I readily acknowledge that I am an ardent lover of Mendelssohn's music including his famous Hebrides overture, Midsummer Night's Dream overture and incidental music, violin concerto, and symphonies. His most famous, and most often played, symphonies are his Scottish and Italian symphonies, both of which are outstanding and deserve their popularity. But, in my opinion, Mendelssohn's symphonic masterpiece is the vastly-underrated and seldom played Reformation Symphony. While the Scottish and Italian symphonies are well composed and delightful to listen to, the Reformation Symphony is majestic as well as beautiful and ends with the full orchestra playing fortissimo the beautiful hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God. Since I love this symphony so much I have listened to and acquired many performances of it over several decades, unfortunately finding one after another performance -- many by big name conductors -- to be not fully worthy of this masterpiece, I finally acquired this budget Naxos CD which is the finest performance of this symphony I've ever heard. It has the distinction of being both subtly and majestically played as required by the music. If you are not familiar with this great symphony, or have rejected it after being disappointed by some insensitive performance, please acquire this budget CD and hear how beautifully magnificent this great symphony is. Mendelssohn's youthful Symphony No. 1 makes a pleasant filler, but the Reformation Symphony is the reason to acquire this CD.

I first heard the Mendelssohn Symphonies at a Ballet and was so blown away by both the ballet performance and the music that I checked up Amazon immediately upon returning and bought it! The price of this CD is such a bonus too. If you want more of this music, you can get the white box complete compilation that is an excellent buy too! It includes all in this CD and more. Simply powerful and beautiful music!

This was a great price to be sure! Only $7.99 for a quality CD. Amazing. The music is beautiful, and we just close our eyes and imagine being at a real-live symphony. The reformation piece is just breathtaking.

If you like classical music you probably don't want to purchase any music with the Naxos label. Not only do they use second rate recordings but this particular CD did not have Mendelssohn's 1st and 5th symphonies on it. Instead it had the Violin concertos of Gabriel Faure instead. Buyer beware. You're better off buying a different brand of CD.

I first heard the Mendelssohn Symphonies at a Ballet and was so blown away by both the ballet performance and the music that I checked up Amazon immediately upon returning and bought it! The price of this CD is such a bonus too. If you want more of this music, you can get the white box complete compilation that is an excellent buy too! It includes all in this CD and more. Simply powerful and beautiful music!