Pablo Heras-Casado - Mendelssohn: Symphonie No. 2 "Lobgesang" (2014) [Official Digital Download]

The „Lobgesang“ (or „Hymn of Praise“) was commissioned by the city of Leipzig from its Kapellmeister Mendelssohn to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the invention of printing in 1840, and has elements of the symphony, cantata and oratorio. But, at the opposite pole from Beethoven’s Ninth, we have here a symphonic miniature in three movements, intended to act as the overture to the sung part of the work, which is twice as long. Thus this splendid „Symphony-Cantata“ expands into a sweeping vocal and choral epic.

“Uncork the fizz: this is Schubert as never heard in modern times. The symphonies were crying out for a period makeover, but who could have expected the result – taut, texturally transparent, rhythmically alert – to sound so witty and exciting? No one listening to this recording will ever want to return to traditional symphonic Schubert.” (Andrew Clark, Financial Times)

“Pablo Heras-Casado’s debut disc with Harmonia Mundi sees him draw thrillingly fizzing performances of two Schubert symphonies …The requisite light touch is unfailingly present in both symphonies…The Third Symphony is a complete joy from start to finish, twinkling with charm at every turn…The second movement is graceful and stately in its outer sections, and the middle passage benefits from an excellent clarinet solo…The tarantella finale charges along irresistibly with a dashing one-in-a-bar pulse. Dynamics and articulation are closely attended to…The movement romps to an exuberant finish, closing a brilliantly exciting performance…Well worth a listen for its constant energy and infectious optimism.” (MusicWeb International)

Tracklist:

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847)

01. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Sinfonia, I. Maestoso con moto
02. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Sinfonia, II. Allegretto un poco agitato
03. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Sinfonia, III. Adagio religioso
04. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Cantate, 2. a. Allegro moderato maestoso-Allegro di molto: „Alles was Odem hat“ b. Molto più moderato ma con fuoco: „Lobe den Herr, meine Seele“
05. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Cantate, 3. a. Allegro moderato: „Saget es, die ihr erlöset seid durch den Herrn“ b. Allegro moderato: „Er zählet unsre Tränen in der Zeit der Not“
06. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Cantate, 4. A tempo moderato: „Saget es, die ihr erlöset seid“
07. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Cantate, 5. Duo: Andante: „Ich harrete des Herrn“
08. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Cantate, 6. Allegro un poco agitato-Allegro assai agitato-Tempo I moderato: „Stricke des Todes hatten uns umfangen“
09. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Cantate, 7. Allegro maestoso e molto vivace: „Die Nacht ist vergangen“
10. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Cantate, 8. Choral. Andante con moto-un poco più animato: „Nun danket alle Gott“ Coro: „Lob, Ehr’ und Preis sei Gott“
11. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Cantate, 9. Duo: Andante sostenuto assai: „Drum sing ich mit meinem Liede ewig dein Lob“
12. Symphonie Nr.2 "Lobgesang": Cantate, 10. Schlußchor: Allegro non troppo-Più vivace-Maestoso come I: „Ihr Völker, bringet her dem Herrn Ehre und Macht“

Personnel:
Christiane Karg, soprano
Christina Landshamer, soprano
Michael Schade, tenor
Chorus of the Bayerischen Rundfunks
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Pablo Heras-Casado, conductor