Symphonies No. 4 "Italian", original and revised versions / No. 5 "Reformation"

Album by Felix Mendelssohn & Wiener Philharmoniker & Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Symphonies No. 4 "Italian" (original and revised versions) and No. 5 "Reformation" are orchestral works by Felix Mendelssohn, composed in 1833 and 1830–1832 respectively. They are characterised by contrasting sonic profiles: the Italian emphasises buoyant rhythms, luminous orchestration and concise melodic gestures across its different versions, while the Reformation employs chorale-like material, denser contrapuntal textures and a more solemn, ceremonial character, together illustrating Mendelssohn's role in transitioning from Classical forms to early Romantic expressivity.

Symphonies No. 4 "Italian", original and revised versions / No. 5 "Reformation" by Mendelssohn - album cover

First released: 8th January 1999

About

1.
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 "Italian": I. Allegro vivace
10:13
2.
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 "Italian": II. Andante con moto
5:38
3.
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 "Italian": III. Con moto moderato
6:20
4.
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 "Italian": IV. Saltarello. Presto
5:39
5.
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 107 "Reformation": I. Andante - Allegro con fuoco
10:52
6.
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 107 "Reformation": II. Allegro vivace
4:56
7.
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 107 "Reformation": III. Andante - Attacca
3:42
8.
Symphony No. 5 in D major, Op. 107 "Reformation": IV. Choral 'Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott': Andante con moto - Allegro vivace - Allegro maestoso
8:45
9.
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 "Italian" (Revised 1834): II. Andante con moto
6:29
10.
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 "Italian" (Revised 1834): III. Menuetto. Con moto grazioso
7:44
11.
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 "Italian" (Revised 1834): IV. Saltarello. Allegro di molto
6:31