German composer, pianist and conductor (1809–1847), a leading figure bridging Classical and early Romantic styles; known for symphonies, concertos, overtures, chamber and choral works.

Born 3 February 1809 in Hamburg; died 4 November 1847 in Leipzig. Born into a Jewish family that converted to Christianity and used the surname Mendelssohn-Bartholdy.

Two DeBaser reviews praise Mendelssohn's Symphony Nos. 3, 4 and 5, linking them to his travel impressions and Protestant context. Reviewers highlight dramatic contrasts (Scottish), Mediterranean brightness (Italian) and chorale-based structure (Reformation). Recommended recordings by Claudio Abbado and Leonard Bernstein are mentioned.

For:Classical music listeners, students of 19th-century music, and listeners interested in travel-inspired orchestral works.

 

...truly majestic as befits such a monumental symphony, perhaps the one most distinct from the cliché of Mendelssohn always being "cheerful" and somewhat "perfectionistic."

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An intensely expressive page, the V symphony has unfortunately often been unjustly neglected in favor of the better-known III and IV.

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