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 classical period symphonies especially by Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and others.
Instrumentation
The symphonies are written for a string orchestra. String Symphony No. 11 also contains percussion (timpani, triangle, cymbals) in the second movement. No. 8 exists in two forms: the original for string orchestra, and an arrangement that Mendelssohn wrote that added woodwinds, brass, 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] Symphonies 1 to 7 are the less "symphonic" and more relatable to the classical Divertimento (in the model of Mozart's KV 136, 137 and 138). From n.º 8 on, we find a more sophisticated writing, probably influenced by Mendelssohn's study on the organistic repertoire. The whole of Symphonies 9, 10 and 13 and some movements in n.º 8, 11 and 12 ask for two viola sections, a forgotten feature since the baroque period.
Structure
The string symphonies nos. 1-6 and 12 were composed in three movements. Nos. 7, 8 and 9 have four movements, nos. 10 and 13 have one movement, and no. 11 is in five movements.[2]
Symphonies
No. 1 in C major
- Allegro
- Andante
- Allegro
No. 2 in D major
- Allegro
- Andante
- Allegro vivace
No. 3 in E minor
- Allegro di molto
- Andante
- Allegro
No. 4 in C minor
- Grave – Allegro
- Andante
- Allegro vivace
No. 5 in B-flat major
- Allegro vivace
- Andante
- Presto
No. 6 in E-flat major
- Allegro
- Menuetto
- Prestissimo
No. 7 in D minor
- Allegro
- Andante amorevole
- Menuetto
- Allegro molto
No. 8 in D major
- Adagio e grave – Allegro
- Adagio
- Menuetto
- Allegro molto
No. 9 in C major
- Grave – Allegro
- Andante
- Scherzo
- Allegro vivace
No. 10 in B minor
- Adagio – Allegro – Piu presto
No. 11 in F major
- Adagio – Allegro molto
- Scherzo comodo. Schweizerlied
- Adagio
- Menuetto: Allegro moderato
- Allegro molto
No. 12 in G minor
- Fuga: Grave – Allegro
- Andante
- Allegro molto
No. 13 Symphoniesatz
Mendelssohn sketched out a 13th string symphony, called Symphoniesatz ("symphonic movement"). This Grave – Allegro molto is in C minor.
References
External links
- String Symphony No.1: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.2: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.3: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.4: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.5: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.6: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.7: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.8: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.9: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.10: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.11: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.12: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- String Symphony No.13 Sinfoniesatz: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
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