Mendelssohn: Symphonies No. 1 & 3 NDR Radiophilharmonie & Andrew Manze

• Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 11, MWV N 13:
• 1 I. Allegro di molto 10:11
• 2 II. Andante 06:09
• 3 III. Menuetto. Allegro molto - Trio 07:24
• 4 IV. Allegro con fuoco 08:18
• Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 56, MWV N 18 "Scottish":
• 5 I. Andante con moto - Allegro un poco agitato 15:43
• 6 II. Scherzo. Vivace non troppo 04:21
• 7 III. Adagio 09:12
• 8 IV. Allegro vivacissimo - Allegro maestoso assai 09:24
• Total Runtime 01:10:42

Info for Mendelssohn: Symphonies No. 1 & 3

Bestechender und audiophiler Mendelssohn: Nur wenige Dirigenten vermögen Publikum und Orchester gleichermaßen so zu inspirieren wie Andrew Manze, der seit September 2014 Chefdirigent der NDR Radiophilharmonie ist. Seine grenzenlose Energie, genauen Kenntnisse des Repertoires und vor allem herausragenden Fähigkeiten als Kommunikator sind die Markenzeichen seiner außergewöhnlichen Karriere. Auch hier gelingt ihm wieder eine meisterhafte Interpretation, soundtechnisch exzellent eingefangen, ein musikalisches wie klanglich bestechendes Hörerlebnis, gerne auch für Sound-Puristen.

"Mendelssohns Musik muss genauso gut und durchdacht gespielt werden wie die Musik von Mozart, lautet eines von Andrew Manzes Credos. Kein Wunder, hielt gerade Mendelssohn doch die Ästhetik seiner Vorgänger ein Leben lang hoch." (NDR)

"Das Orchester aus Hannover ist in allen Stimmgruppen trefflich besetzt und verfügt über eine imponierende Klangkultur, die es schon oft unter Beweis gestellt hat." (Fono Forum)

NDR Radiophilharmonie
Andrew Manze, Dirigent

Sensuously Mediterranean sounds and Northern solemnity shake hands on this recording of Mendelssohn’s Italian and Reformation symphonies (Nos. 4 and 5). This is the second release in a series of recordings in multi-channel surround sound for PENTATONE by the conductor Andrew Manze and the NDR Radiophilharmonie. Expectations are high after the first album of this series, a recording of Mendelssohn’s first and third symphonies, was crowned with a 2017 Jahrespreis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik.

It’s no wonder that Robert Schumann dubbed Mendelssohn the “Mozart of the nineteenth century”; with his felicitous gift for melody and meticulous craftsmanship, his music positively brims with youthful spontaneity and exuberance, blending dreamy poetic flights with moments of affecting tenderness and serenity. All this comes together in his Italian symphony, that is so full of joie de vivre, so sparkling with energy and esprit, so full of Mediterranean gaiety. Far beyond the picturesque, the piece offers Mendelssohn’s profoundly personal reflection, transformed into music, on the impressions made on his senses by the landscape, architecture, lifestyle, and people of Italy.

Equally personal is Mendelssohn’s Reformation symphony, in which the devoutly Christian composer aimed to combine elements and traditions of sacred instrumental music with those of an autonomous symphony. The result is highly original: a so-called finale symphony, in which the programmatic destination of the entire work is oriented towards the finale, based on the Lutheran chorale “A mighty fortress is our God”.

Renowned for his boundless energy and scholarly knowledge and with many critically acclaimed recordings in a broad repertoire, Manze is celebrated as one of the most stimulating and inspirational conductors of his generation.

“Manze's take is wholly individual,” wrote the Guardian. “[Brahms’ symphonies] burst with life, by turns wistful, yearning, sharp-edged and blisteringly incisive … this is the composer reinvented for the 21st century.”

In September 2014 Andrew Manze became the Principal Conductor of the NDR Radiophilharmonie in Hannover and immediately made headlines.

NDR Radiophilharmonie
Andrew Manze, conductor

Booklet for Mendelssohn: Symphonies No. 1 & 3