Search - Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Nicholas Ward, Northern Chamber Orchestra :: Mendelssohn: String Symphonies, Vol. 3

Excellent performances of charming music

G.D. | Norway | 06/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the third volume of Naxos's appealing coverage of Mendelssohn's early string symphonies, written as exercises in counterpoint for Zelter around the age of 13. And these accounts are as fine as any of the competing series of these charming, sunny works, once forgotten but currently having achieved a popularity they frankly don't quite deserve. Yes, they are fine works, and stunningly accomplished for a composer Mendelssohn's age (it is clear, for instance, that Mozart, say, had not written anything remotely in this league at a comparable age), but they are not masterpieces by a long shot, and rather far removed from the towering masterpiece that is his string octet, written less than three years later.



In any case, the four works covered on this disc are probably the best of the lot. The material is masterly handled (and prove quite a challenge to the performers, one suspects), but very unsubtle. The Northern Chamber Orchestra is up to the challenge however, and Ward is a good judge of tempi and rhythm. One highlight is no. 12 which bounces along amiably and with plenty of atmosphere, though the performances overall sound perhaps a little earthbound in comparison to Roy Goodman's versions. No qualms about the sound quality either, and this disc can be recommended for anyone wanting these works and as an excellent taster for those who are curious but uncertain about them."