Mendelssohn / Gardner / London Symphony Orchestra - Symphony No. 5 & Overtures [CD]

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the London Symphony Orchestra join forces once again for the latest installment in their critically acclaimed exploration of Felix Mendelssohn's symphonies. Commonly known as the 'Reformation' Symphony, 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 are to be heard throughout; 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, Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage and Ruy Blas, both inspired by literary works. 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. 'Gardiner's Mendelssohn with the LSO packs a surprisingly hefty punch.' (Evening Standard)