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| Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures | 
 enlarge | Creators: Felix Mendelssohn, Claudio Abbado, London Symphony Orchestra, Elizabeth Connell, Karita Mattila, Hans Peter Blochwitz
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Category: Music
List Price: $30.98
Buy New: $17.49
You Save: $13.49 (44%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $17.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  (11 reviews)
Sales Rank: 3727
Format: Box Set
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 4
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 5.1 x 0.6 x 0.5
MPN: 471467
UPC: 028947146728
EAN: 0028947146728
ASIN: B00005ONMP
Release Date: May 14, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 More of Mendelssohn to Love November 8, 2005
10 out of 17 found this review helpful
I had heard all the music on here before interpreted by other conductors and other symphonies but Claudio Abbado proved to be the most efficient for me. Thanks to the world's leading classical music label- Deutsche Grammophone -we are able to hear a complete set of Mendelssohn's symphonies and overtures with the acclaimed London Symphony in a beautiful and surprisingly afforadable album. For music that is this good, I was surprised that it wasn't a little more expensive. But good, right ? Just more of Mendelssohn to love. On this album: his symphonies 1-5, Scherzo in G Minor from the Octet for Strings, the Overture to A Midsumer Night's Dream incidental music and Hebrides Overture. These are the most famous Mendelssohn creations. His Fourth Symphony is the "Italian" symphony, with lyrical, bouncy rhythms and classical harmony. The Midsummer Night's Dream overture encompasses romanticism at its peak, with sprightly strings representing the mischievous fairies that figure prominently in the Shakespeare comedy. The Hebrides Overture is evocative of wintery landscapes and sea breezes, a fine example of a tone poem and musical painting at its best. Its haunting melody is instantly recongizable. Abbado is clearly suited for this kind of music and it's refreshing to see him stray from the usual Italian repertoire he is most famous for. Still, inescapably, his Italian soul stands out but this gives this music more color, more volume and lyricism than what can often succumb to stale, cold English interpretations like Andre Previn's conducting. No offense to Mr. Previn, who has produced some brilliant music.
 A classical (i.e., not very romantic) approach October 7, 2005
7 out of 18 found this review helpful
If this were any other 19th-century composer but Mendelssohn I would give Abbado's cautious, refined conducting three stars. But there is a strong classical side to Mendelssohn--he owes more to Haydn than to Beethoven--so I might accept a cooler, scaled-down approach.
Fortunatley, I don't have to. There is a propulsive, virtuosic set of the complete symphonies from Karajan at budget price, not to mention many exciting versions of the Scottish and Italian symphonies. It's harder to find excellent performances of Sym. 1, 2, and 5 (I can't imagine who but a high Victorian would want #2), but with some searching one can do that, too. For those who desire the Abbado set, the London Sym. plays very well for him -- I find them more robust and communicative than the conductor's conception -- and for sheer elegance it's hard to beat these readings. But one should be prepared for half the visceral excitement generated by Munch with the BSO (Sym. #5) or Bernstein with the NY Phil. (Sym. #3 and #4).
I love it March 17, 2005
9 out of 12 found this review helpful
Mendelssohn's symphonies, and especially these performances, are a must have. I feel like screaming the theme to "Hymn of Praise" at the top of my lungs every time I hear it. These performances are incredible. The overtures included are also a nice touch. The sound quality is pretty good. Highly recommended.
Superb recordings October 25, 2003
40 out of 50 found this review helpful
At this price, this box-set (4 CD) is a must have for admirers of Mendelssohn and any collectors.
The performances of all works are very good (Especially, Symphony No. 3 and 4).And there are seven overtures including, not too known "Trumpet-Overture", "Fair Melusina" and beatiful "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage". And there is the best recording of his gorgeous "Symphony No. 2" ("Lobgesang"). Actually, this work be constitued in a cantata or an oratorio form and scored for two soloists, chorus, organ and orchestra. I think, the best recordings in all CDs' are Symphony No. 3 "Scottish" (dedicated to Quenn Victoria) and No. 4 "Italian". As you know, both of these works tells about impression of his voyages and also, he written famous "The Hebrides" in addition with his "Scottish" Symphony. I like especially 2nd (slow) movement of No. 3 and there is a very good example of counterpoint. And also, from No. 4 (Italian), I like 3rd movement. This is a very elegant minuetto and there is a soli for horns in Trio. And especially this movement tells very good that the landscapes of Italy (ex. woodland scenes narrates by horns in this movement). Still, I admire that, Mendelssohn is a master in to explain the lanscapes on music. Highly recommended.
Excellent Collection of Mendelssohn May 6, 2003
24 out of 29 found this review helpful
Set captures one of the premier recordings of Mendelssohn's symphonies and overtures, done by London Symphony Orchestra led by Claudio Abbado.Included is a well interpreted version of the infamous "A Midsummer Night's Dream" which initially catapulted Mendelssohn to fame and continued to be a favorite, with its spellbinding imagery and mood. Especially delightful in this set is the finale to the Scottish Symphony, with its delightful coda. The Reformation Symphony is well interpreted here also with its vocal fugue type ending. The Overtures provided are magnificent as well, highlighted by the excellent Overture for Wind Instruments and the infamous "Calm Sea, Prosperous Voyage" which became signatuatory for this composer around literary themes. Excellent enjoyment of the breadth and depth of this prolific and versatile composer, from sacred to choral to operatic to the symphonic.
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