String symphonies (Mendelssohn)

Felix Mendelssohn wrote thirteen string symphonies between 1821 and 1823, when he was between 12 and 14 years old. (For his mature symphonies, see here). These symphonies were tributes to early Classical symphonies especially by Joseph Haydn, Johann Christian Bach, Carl Philip Emanuel Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Instrumentation

The symphonies are written for a string orchestra. String Symphony No. 11 also contains percussion (timpani, triangle, cymbals) in the second movement. In addition to No. 8 Mendelssohn wrote an arrangement with woodwinds, brasess, and timpani. The work is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani in D and A, and strings. (A typical performance lasts half an hour).[1]

Structure

Most of the string symphonies were composed in three movements, with the exceptions of nos. 7, 8 and 9, which are in four movements, nos. 10 and 13 which are in one movement, and no. 11 which is in five movements.[2]

Symphonies

No. 1 in C major
  1. Allegro
  2. Andante
  3. Allegro

No. 2 in D major
  1. Allegro
  2. Andante
  3. Allegro vivace

No. 3 in E minor
  1. Allegro di molto
  2. Andante
  3. Allegro

No. 4 in C minor
  1. Grave – Allegro
  2. Andante
  3. Allegro vivace

No. 5 in B-flat major
  1. Allegro vivace
  2. Andante
  3. Presto

No. 6 in E-flat major
  1. Allegro
  2. Menuetto
  3. Prestissimo

No. 7 in D minor
  1. Allegro
  2. Andante amorevole
  3. Menuetto
  4. Allegro molto

No. 8 in D major
  1. Adagio e grave – Allegro
  2. Adagio
  3. Menuetto
  4. Allegro molto

No. 9 in C major
  1. Grave – Allegro
  2. Andante
  3. Scherzo
  4. Allegro vivace

No. 10 in B minor
  1. Adagio – Allegro – Piu presto

No. 11 in F major
  1. Adagio – Allegro molto
  2. Scherzo comodo. Schweizerlied
  3. Adagio
  4. Menuetto: Allegro moderato
  5. Allegro molto

No. 12 in G minor
  1. Fuga: Grave – Allegro
  2. Andante
  3. Allegro molto

No. 13 Symphoniesatz

Mendelssohn sketched out a 13th string symphony, called Symphoniesatz ("symphonic movement"). This Grave – Allegro molto is in C minor.

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References
  1. Recording on Allmusic, "Various Artists Mendelssohn: The Masterworks":
  2. "Twelve String Symphonies" at Hyperion Records
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