Richard Wagner used Mendelssohn's instrumentation and harmonization of the 'Dresden Amen' from the 'Reformation' Symphony for the 'Grail' motif in his opera Parsifal.
Composition History
Mendelssohn's 'Italian' Symphony was commissioned by the Philharmonic Society in London, prompting him to complete the work after a period of creative crisis.
Critical Reception
The 'Reformation' Symphony was initially rejected by Parisian orchestral musicians as 'too scholastic' with 'too many fugatos, and too little melody' after just one rehearsal.
Compositional Technique
In the 'Reformation' Symphony, Mendelssohn integrated the Gregorian Magnificat theme, a fanfare-like wind block, and the 'Dresden Amen' into the first movement's introduction.
Recording & Production
This album is part of a series by the NDR Radiophilharmonie and Andrew Manze to publish all of Mendelssohn's symphonies with the Dutch label PENTATONE.
Composition History
Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, the 'Reformation' Symphony, was originally composed for the 300th anniversary of the 'Confessio Augustana' (Augsburg Confession), a primary confession of faith for Lutheran imperial estates.
Composer Biography
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, the composer, was baptized a Protestant in Berlin in 1816, despite originally descending from a Jewish family.
