Mendelssohn - Op. 52 - Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major "Lobgesang" (1840)

[W.A. Mozart]

Mendelssohn composed this piece in 1840, when he was 31 years old.
The piece was titled as "symphony no. 2" after the death of the composer. Actually, the piece is a cantata with some orchestral movements.

Performers:
- Soprano: Sona Ghazarian, Edita Gruberová
- Tenor: Werner Krenn
- Conductor: Christoph von Dohnányi
- Chorus: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper
- Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker

Mendelssohn - Op. 52 - Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major "Lobgesang" (1840):
1. Sinfonia:
- 00:00 Maestoso con moto - Allegro (B-flat major)
- 12:15 Allegretto un poco agitato (G minor)
- 17:23 Adagio religioso (D major)
24:55 2. Soprano, Chorus: "Alles was Odem hat lobe den Herrn" Allegro moderato maestoso (B-flat major)
32:09 3. Tenor: "Saget es, die ihr erlöst seid durch den Herrn" Recitativ – Allegro moderato. (G minor)
34:56 4. Chorus: "Sagt es, die ihr erlöst seid vor dem Herrn" A tempo moderato. (G minor)
37:01 5. 2 Sopranos, Chorus: "Ich harrete des Herrn." Andante (E-flat major)
42:42 6. Soprano, Tenor: "Strick des Todes hatten uns umfangen." Allegro un poco agitato – Allegro assai agitato (C minor)
46:27 7. Chorus: "Die Nacht ist vergangen" Allegro maestoso e molto vivace. (D major)
51:17 8. Chorus: "Nun danket alle Gott." Andante con moto (G major)
56:41 9. Soprano, Tenor: "Drum sing' ich mit meinem Liede" Andante sostenuto assai. (B-flat major)
1:01:15 10. Chorus: "Ihr Völker! bringet her dem Herrn Ehre und Macht" Allegro non troppo (B-flat major)

[LKB]

Mendelssohn composed this piece in 1840, when he was 31 years old.
The piece was titled as "symphony no. 2" after the death of the composer. Actually, the piece is a cantata with some orchestral movements.

Performers:
- Soprano: Sona Ghazarian, Edita Gruberová
- Tenor: Werner Krenn
- Conductor: Christoph von Dohnányi
- Chorus: Chor der Wiener Staatsoper
- Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker

Mendelssohn - Op. 52 - Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major "Lobgesang" (1840):
1. Sinfonia:
- 00:00 Maestoso con moto - Allegro (B-flat major)
- 12:15 Allegretto un poco agitato (G minor)
- 17:23 Adagio religioso (D major)
24:55 2. Soprano, Chorus: "Alles was Odem hat lobe den Herrn" Allegro moderato maestoso (B-flat major)
32:09 3. Tenor: "Saget es, die ihr erlöst seid durch den Herrn" Recitativ – Allegro moderato. (G minor)
34:56 4. Chorus: "Sagt es, die ihr erlöst seid vor dem Herrn" A tempo moderato. (G minor)
37:01 5. 2 Sopranos, Chorus: "Ich harrete des Herrn." Andante (E-flat major)
42:42 6. Soprano, Tenor: "Strick des Todes hatten uns umfangen." Allegro un poco agitato – Allegro assai agitato (C minor)
46:27 7. Chorus: "Die Nacht ist vergangen" Allegro maestoso e molto vivace. (D major)
51:17 8. Chorus: "Nun danket alle Gott." Andante con moto (G major)
56:41 9. Soprano, Tenor: "Drum sing' ich mit meinem Liede" Andante sostenuto assai. (B-flat major)
1:01:15 10. Chorus: "Ihr Völker! bringet her dem Herrn Ehre und Macht" Allegro non troppo (B-flat major)

I remember singing this in university, decades ago. It was about halfway enjoyable, possibly because l had sung Mahler's Resurrection about a year earlier. Talk about a hard act to follow...

[Karl Henning]

I remember singing this in university, decades ago. It was about halfway enjoyable, possibly because l had sung Mahler's Resurrection about a year earlier. Talk about a hard act to follow...

It's a work I remember being underwhelmed by. And, I should listen to the Mahler again.

[DavidW]

Blasphemers!!  Mendelssohn's second is great!

[Karl Henning]

Blasphemers!!  Mendelssohn's second is great!

Oh, I'm not saying I won't give it a fresh hearing. I've got "the Hobbit's" recording, I'm pretty sure.

[DavidW]

Oh, I'm not saying I won't give it a fresh hearing. I've got "the Hobbit's" recording, I'm pretty sure.

I'm guessing that is a reference to a short conductor?  Zing!  Went right over my head!

[W.A. Mozart]

I remember singing this in university, decades ago. It was about halfway enjoyable, possibly because l had sung Mahler's Resurrection about a year earlier. Talk about a hard act to follow...

I think that this is a great work. I think the same about almost all pieces of Mendelssohn.

[Karl Henning]

I'm guessing that is a reference to a short conductor?  Zing!  Went right over my head!

The Sarge's affectionate moniker for Thos Fey

[LKB]

The Sarge's affectionate moniker for Thos Fey

Hobbit? I'd say he doesn't qualify. Not rotund enough, and a decidedly un-picturesque last name.

[LKB]

Blasphemers!!  Mendelssohn's second is great!

I'm not disagreeing. But imho, the Resurrection is greater yet. 

[Jo498]

I think he should have made two pieces out of it; I don't find that the first 3 instrumental movements fit well with the extended cantata that follows.

[DavidW]

Hobbit? I'd say he doesn't qualify. Not rotund enough, and a decidedly un-picturesque last name.

Yeah I thought it was perhaps Levine.