London Symphony Orchestra - Mendelssohn: Symphony No 5 'Reformation' (2015)

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the London Symphony Orchestra join forces once again in the latest instalment of their exploration of Mendelssohn s symphonies. The previous release, Mendelssohn s Symphony No 3, Scottish , coupled with The Hebrides Overture and Schumann s Piano Concerto, has received widespread critical acclaim. Gramophone awarded the album Editor s Choice and called it "a truly memorable performance"; IRR observed that "it is so good that it can be recommended without hesitation" and it received an ICMA 2014 nomination in the Best Collection category. Mendelssohn s Symphony No 5 was written in 1830 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Augsberg confession a seminal event in the Protestant Reformation. Allusions to the symphony s title and inspiration can be heard throughout the music itself: the Dresden Amen is cited by the strings in the first movement whilst the finale is based on Martin Luther s well-known chorale 'Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott' (A Mighty Fortress is Our God). Coupled with this are two of Mendelssohn s overtures, both of which were inspired by literary works. 'Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage', based on two short poems by Goethe, depicts the journey of sailors at sea with a still adagio opening ultimately giving way to a triumphant homecoming. Completing the album, the overture 'Ruy Blas' was commissioned by the Leipzig Theatre as an overture to Victor Hugo s tragic drama of the same name. DSD recording, live at the Barbican, March & October 2014, Audio 2.0 Stereo and multi-channel (5.1)