Top 5 Mendelssohn Works

[kyjo]

Surprised this hasn't been done already! My choices are all chamber works (though I love many of his orchestral works as well):

Cello Sonata no. 2
String Quartet no. 2
Octet
String Quintet no. 2
Piano Trio no. 1

[TheGSMoeller]

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Symphony No. 5
Symphony No. 4
Hebrides Overture
String Quartet No. 6, Op. 80

[Brian]

String Quartet No. 6
Piano Trio No. 1
Octet
Preludes and Fugues Op. 35
Symphony No. 4

[aesthetic]

Violin Concerto
Piano Trio No. 2
Symphony No. 3 "Scottish"
String Quartet No. 6
Hebrides

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Violin Concerto in E minor
String Octet
A Midsummer Night's Dream
String Quartet no. 2
String Quartet no. 6

[SymphonicAddict]

Haven't listened to his great oratorios yet, I say these ones:

Symphony 3 Scottish
String quartet 6, op. 80
Octet
Violin concerto
The Hebrides Overture

[André]

A Midsummer's Night Dream
Overture 'The Hebrides'
Symphony no 3
Piano concerto in g minor
Violin concerto in e minor

I know only a few works of his chamber music (I know, it's a shame  ) . Further acquaintance is high on my list of priorities.

[kyjo]

Preludes and Fugues Op. 35

Don't know this one - must investigate!

[kyjo]

I know only a few works of his chamber music (I know, it's a shame  ) . Further acquaintance is high on my list of priorities.

Oh yes, you must rectify that soon! Mendelssohn's chamber output contains his finest achievements IMHO.

[André]

Apart from the octet, I only have the piano sextet, 2 piano trios op 49 and 66 and the 3 piano quartets.

[Mirror Image]

I wish I could contribute here, but I never thought much of Mendelssohn. I like a few of his symphonies and chamber works, but his music, for me, lacks that dramatic element I yearn for in music. What is his most turbulent work?

[kyjo]

I wish I could contribute here, but I never thought much of Mendelssohn. I like a few of his symphonies and chamber works, but his music, for me, lacks that dramatic element I yearn for in music. What is his most turbulent work?

I'd say his String Quartet no. 6, especially that shuddering, dramatic opening movement. The slow movements of his Cello Sonata no. 2, Octet, and String Quintet no. 2 all contain a great amount of pathos (if not turbulence).

[kyjo]

Apart from the octet, I only have the piano sextet, 2 piano trios op 49 and 66 and the 3 piano quartets.

His quartets (especially 1, 2, and 6), String Quintet no. 2 (don't know no. 1), and Cello Sonata no. 2 are very much worth your time as well.

[amw]

A minor string quartet Op. 13
A major string quintet Op. 18
C minor symphony Op. 11
F minor string symphony
F# minor Lied ohne Worte Op. 67 no. 2

[kyjo]

C minor symphony Op. 11

Great choice. I've always loved this invigorating work.

[Jo498]

Hebrides Ouverture
a minor string quartet op.13
violin concerto
string quartet op.80
midsummer night's dream ouverture + incidental music

[Jo498]

I wish I could contribute here, but I never thought much of Mendelssohn. I like a few of his symphonies and chamber works, but his music, for me, lacks that dramatic element I yearn for in music. What is his most turbulent work?

probably the f minor string quartet.
Many other works, e.g. the Hebrides Ouverture or the "Scottish symphony" have dramatic passages but are overall more in "generally romantic" moods, often with a turn to the major at the end.
Even a wild finale in the minor as in the "Italian" seems more pittoresque than dramatic (in the Beethoven sense).

[Earthed]

Mendelssohn is cool - I like all the lists posted so far:

Violin Concerto
Piano Trio No. 2
Symphony No. 3 "Scottish"
String Quartet No. 6
Hebrides

Haven't listened to his great oratorios yet, I say these ones:

Symphony 3 Scottish
String quartet 6, op. 80
Octet
Violin concerto
The Hebrides Overture

These could be my choices too (except I'd substitute Piano Trio #1 instead of #2 in Aesthetic's list).

[Florestan]

Angst in music is hugely overrated but if one wants melancholy, nostalgia and bittersweetness experienced and expressed within an essentially healthy and happy outlook, Mendelssohn has aplenty.

Actually, he is a victim (one of many, actually) of the persistent and pernicious myth that music which is not Angst-ridden, sorrowful and tragic is somehow less worthy or interesting than music which is.

I am particularly fond of his best kept secrets: the Lieder and the piano music besides Songs without Words.

[Brian]

F minor string symphony

F major, perhaps?