Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2 "Lobgesang"

Monteverdi Choir, John Eliot Gardiner, London Symphony Orchestra

2017

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2 "Lobgesang"

This is a triumphant climax to a symphony cycle that has opened many ears to Mendelssohn. Drawing playing of litheness and flexibility from the London Symphony Orchestra, who have quite a Mendelssohn tradition of their own, Gardiner treats us to a performance of lightness, grace and total conviction. Needless to say, his Monteverdi Choir sings magnificently and his well-balanced trio of soloists steers well clear of sentimentality. This noble symphony appears new-minted in this fine version.

I. Sinfonia. Maestoso con moto

John Eliot Gardiner, London Symphony Orchestra

11:46

I. Sinfonia. Allegretto un poco agitato

London Symphony Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner

6:06

I. Sinfonia. Adagio religioso

John Eliot Gardiner, London Symphony Orchestra

6:25

II. Allegro moderato maestoso "Alles, was Odem hat, lobe den Herrn"

London Symphony Orchestra, Monteverdi Choir, John Eliot Gardiner

4:09

II. Molto più moderato ma con fuoco "Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele"

Monteverdi Choir, Lucy Crowe, London Symphony Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner

2:44

III. Recitativo "Saget es, die ihr erlöst seid durch den Herrn"

Michael Spyres, John Eliot Gardiner, London Symphony Orchestra

0:52

III. Allegro moderato "Er zählet unsre Tränen"

London Symphony Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, Michael Spyres

2:17

IV. Chor. A tempo moderato "Sagt es, die ihr erlöst seid"

London Symphony Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, Monteverdi Choir

1:46

V. Andante "Ich harrete des Herrn"

John Eliot Gardiner, Jurgita Adamonyte, Monteverdi Choir, Lucy Crowe, London Symphony Orchestra

5:27

VI. Allegro un poco agitato "Stricke des Todes hatten uns umfangen"

John Eliot Gardiner, Michael Spyres, London Symphony Orchestra

4:04

VII. Allegro maestoso e molto vivace "Die Nacht ist vergangen"

London Symphony Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, Monteverdi Choir

4:17

VIII. Choral. Andante con moto "Nun danket alle Gott"

London Symphony Orchestra, Monteverdi Choir, John Eliot Gardiner

1:32

VIII. Un poco più animato "Lob, Ehr und Preis sei Gott"

John Eliot Gardiner, London Symphony Orchestra, Monteverdi Choir

2:55

IX. Andante sostenuto assai "Drum sing' ich mit meinem Liede ewig dein Lob"

John Eliot Gardiner, Lucy Crowe, London Symphony Orchestra, Michael Spyres

4:15

X. Schlusschor. Allegro non troppo "Ihr Völker! bringet her dem Herrn"

London Symphony Orchestra, Monteverdi Choir, John Eliot Gardiner

5:22