HIP Mendelssohn symphonies - recommendations?

[Karafan]

Afternoon all,

I wondered if you had recommendations for Mendelssohn symphonies in historically-informed performances please (particularly 3 & 4)?

Thanks

Karafan

[Gurn Blanston]

Hanover Band / Goodman is a good choice, there are still copies available. 3 & 4 are on different disks coupled with various of the overtures. Their box of string symphonies is nice too. There is not an overwhelming number of choices here, so it may not be a case of trying 4 or 5 versions and choosing one. In the end, you may be delighted to have any version at all that suits your taste.

[FideLeo]

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I have this in an older version:



Alternatively,

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Norrington provides a somewhat lighter and more transparent sound, but his phrasings are more clipped and may not suit more traditional tastes.

/for string symphonies and some early concertos

best collection that I know of:

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Symphony 2 recorded by Christoph Spering

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Jos van Immerseel recorded Symphonies 4 and 5 for Channel Classics early on but copies may be hard to find.  I have not heard them.

[Lethevich]

Fey's (hybrid, I believe) cycle on Hänssler is IMO more successful than his Haydn with the same forces. Interestingly, in this cycle the numbered symphonies are coupled with the string symphonies.

Norrington's later recording of the 3rd and 4th on the same label with a full sized orchestra is a pleasing continuation of the Abbado tradition of cleaning up the lines and textures, although this is a relatively refined traditional performance, influenced on matters of phrasing and vibrato rather than period instruments, and as such may lack that peppy edge you are searching for.

[Scarpia]

Fey's (hybrid, I believe) cycle on Hänssler is IMO more successful than his Haydn with the same forces.

It is hard for me to comprehend how anything could be more successful than those Haydn recordings.   

[Lethevich]

They sound very impressive but Fey's concept with Haydn grates on me. It often sounds bang-and-crash, militaristic, even throwing in the odd Brucknerian sustained drum-roll. It's fun, but when presented under the guise of "correct" historical interpretation, something about it rubs me the wrong way. If it was simply with a modern instrument chamber orchestra, I may have found myself with a differing view. Given how "metallic" his renditions already sound, I don't feel that it would change much. HIP I tend to associate with, at its best, a vitality and dynamism that none the less retains a sense of 18th century perspective - a conversational quality, an inner glow.

Edit: last edit. Honestly.

[Scarpia]

They sound very impressive but Fey's concept with Haydn grates on me. It often sounds bang-and-crash, militaristic, even throwing in the odd Brucknerian sustained drum-roll. It's fun, but when presented under the guise of "correct" historical interpretation, something about it rubs me the wrong way. If it was simply with a modern instrument chamber orchestra, I may have found myself with a differing view. Given how "metallic" his renditions already sound, I don't feel that it would change much. HIP I tend to associate with, at its best, a vitality and dynamism that none the less retains a sense of 18th century perspective - a conversational quality, an inner glow.

Edit: last edit. Honestly.

I wasn't aware they were considered HIP.  I just think they're fun to listen to.

[Lethevich]

Definitely marketed as such, although iirc with only some period instruments.

I should just STFU and listen and enjoy them on their own merits, but meh

[Scarpia]

Definitely marketed as such, although iirc with only some period instruments.

Oh well, got mine as overstocks at Berkshire Record Outlet, marketing null.  I guess I've become to jaded to read a CD booklet from a Haydn symphony set.   

[ddejonghe]

You can find the Anima Eterna Recording in iTunes.  http://itunes.apple.com/be/album/mendelssohn-symphonies-no/id262531258

To be tuned with what Anima Eterna is doing in future, fan them on Facebook. www.facebook.com/animaeternabrugge

/
[asin]B0029WUB5Q[/asin]

/
I have this in an older version:



Alternatively,

[asin]B000CEBOPO[/asin]

[asin]B00004RITT[/asin]

Norrington provides a somewhat lighter and more transparent sound, but his phrasings are more clipped and may not suit more traditional tastes.

/for string symphonies and some early concertos

best collection that I know of:

[asin]B001UE283W[/asin]

Symphony 2 recorded by Christoph Spering

[asin]B00004ZBKG[/asin]

Jos van Immerseel recorded Symphonies 4 and 5 for Channel Classics early on but copies may be hard to find.  I have not heard them.

[FideLeo]

You can find the Anima Eterna Recording in iTunes.  http://itunes.apple.com/be/album/mendelssohn-symphonies-no/id262531258

To be tuned with what Anima Eterna is doing in future, fan them on Facebook. www.facebook.com/animaeternabrugge

Thanks!  Good to know that the Immerseel recording has been re-released.