Mendelssohn: 5. Sinfonie (»Reformations-Sinfonie«) ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Masaaki Suzuki

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy:
5. Sinfonie d-Moll op. 107
(»Reformations-Sinfonie«) ∙

I. Andante – Allegro con fuoco 00:00 ∙
II. Allegro vivace 12:12 ∙
III. Andante 18:29 ∙
IV. Choral: Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott. Andante con moto – Allegro vivace – Allegro maestoso 22:56 ∙

hr-Sinfonieorchester – Frankfurt Radio Symphony ∙
Masaaki Suzuki, Dirigent ∙

Barock+ ∙
hr-Sendesaal Frankfurt, 29. September 2023 ∙

#4K

© 2023
Hessischer Rundfunk (hr)

[PosauneundPapier]

I love Mendelssohn's use of brass. It's like warm waves of energy

[staffanolofsson]

The camera people are tremendous! Nice passage from the Andande to the Choral. Starts at 22:40

[大倉宏-os]

This is a wonderful performance. I feel that this conductor created a broad expance of stillness or tranquility like a surface of a lake on a sunny morning without wind in the depth of the music.
From this background of serenity, the music of each player rises and melts like ripples of jumping fish, like glimmer of sunlight, like illusions of fog, and flows to the audience sitting by the lakeside.
The beautiful flute melody from the end of the 3rd movement to the beginning of the 4th movement especially clearly shows the serenity that exists in the depth of this performance. That same serenity pervades this performance from beginning to end, giving this symphony an amazing depth. The orchestra members seem to be dancing in this beautiful expanse of silence, listening to the music of the other players and to their own, which is heard through the silence. The joy in their faces as they played, captured by the camera, was impressive. This beautiful serenity is the source of the music's emotion, giving Mendelssohn's music vigor, brilliance, and softness. Here is music that is solemn, yet gentle, serene and vibrant.

[jeandeblaize]

J'aime cette symphonie depuis mes 15 ans, cela fait donc 63 ans.
Je résumerai d'une phrase lapidaire ce que représente pour moi (qui suis athée) cette œuvre de Mendelssohn au gré de ses mouvements : une affirmation de la foi chrétienne d'abord joyeuse, ensuite intime puis triomphante et glorieuse et enfin en majesté.

Ici magnifiquement interprétée et dirigée. 👍

[flippert]

Eine meiner Lieblingssymphonien. Das HR-Orchester hat hier eine rhythmisch und atmosphärisch sehr stimmige Interpretation abgeliefert, Chapeau!

[michaeldunlap]

Enjoying this reading of this wonderful symphony very much. The first movement is a little more pesante than I'm used to you and I'm pleased how despite this, it does not flag in energy. Comes off more noble. That final chord with a natural decay was refreshing too.

[paullewis]

Wonderful work, wonderful performance. At long last this symphony is receiving its due respect as one of the great romantic works of the 19th c. Thanks so much for the upload.

[jensschauerte]

vielen Dank an das Symphonie Orchester, die wieder wundervoll Mendelssohn mit Hingabe gespielt haben. 👏

[長曾我部あきら]

So impressive and thrilling performance. I felt the sound reminiscent of the organ and Baroque at the beginning of the first movement, and given the conductor's background, I expected a performance like that. However, it turned out to be a rather romantic interpretation, distinct from the many sharp interpretations we hear these days. Above all, the woodwinds' sound! And the flute! I was deeply moved.
Sorry for using AI translation.

[curtcarlson]

These folks are terrific. It is exciting seeing and hearing players that fully engaged. They knew the flute transition to the last movement was very special. Suzuki also held on to the ending, which was terrific.

[_fromGroundBelow]

Zum träumen bedarf es nicht mehr.

Danke.

[notaire]

Wunderschöne Aufführung dieser romantischen und perfekt komponierten Sinfonie mit gut harmonisierten und perfekt entsprechenden Tönen aller Instrumente. Der dritte Satz klingt besonders schön und echt melodisch. Im Kontrast klingt der letzte Satz echt lebhaft und auch begeisternd. Der intelligente und erfahrene Dirigent leitet das ausgezeichnete Orchester im veränderlichen Tempo und mit künstlerisch kontrollierter Dynamik. Wunderbar und tiefempfunden zugleich!

[lyon]

Un grand merci pour cette magnifique interprétation d'une très belle symphonie !

[shenjohn]

溫暖的聲音！熱情的指揮！
謝謝你帶我們又認識了一首好聽的音樂！
是時後該走出悲傷陰暗了！

[MiScusi]

Very nice symphony which I did not ever listen to. Also, Suzuki is clearly a great conductor, hope to see more from him with this exquisite orchestra!

[n.yamamoto]

It is wonderful play. I have never heard like this playing filled with deep pray and hope on Reformation symphony.
It is a monumental playing with this master piece.

[大倉宏-os]

The performance is like a beautiful, soft, and powerful wave. The flexible, deep, and joyful vibrations emanating from the conductor's body entered each player's body, and rather than being controlled, each one overflowed and flowed out like free droplets. It is a happiness to be able to experience this kind of performance. The camerawork is also superb, moving as if the performers were watching, blinking, and sighing as they sway in the same wave.

[mogon]

Proudly brought to you by the German TV license fee. 😀

[LucienMarine]

Composed by Félix Mendelssohn to contribute in his own way to the celebration of the tercentenary of the Augsburg Confession, this symphony uses cyclically thematic material based on several Protestant chorales. Note the Dresden Amen, used later by Wagner in « Parsifal », and especially the chorale « Ein fest Burg ist unser Gott » from Bach (BWV 80). Raised in Protestant Germany, Mendelssohn retained a great love of religious music, particularly Bach's Passions, which had been forgotten for a century. The quotations of a Catholic Amen in the first movement, of a Protestant chorale in the finale, and the naming of the symphony, however, raise the question of a clash between these two currents of Christianity. The composer also blurs the tracks because although the quotations are apparent in the extreme movements, the central movements seem to be pure music without any link with the reformist ambition of the symphony. The shadow of Beethoven was undoubtedly very present in the composer's mind. The « Reformation » symphony is the first that Mendelssohn wrote after the death of the famous composer, and the first of this magnitude. The influence of the great master equally plays an important role in the writing of this symphony. Music is an eternal restart for those who know how to appreciate it. *Lucien*

[algo]

J'avais, jusqu'alors, peu écouté les symphonies de Mendelssohn, je dois avouer que cette magnifique interprétation m'invite à retourner dans ce voyage romantique. Merci aux musiciens et à leur chef que je découvre. Toujours ravi d'écouter l'orchestre de la Radio de Frankfort. Du plaisir à l'état pur. Bravo !

Ich hatte Mendelssohns Symphonien bis dahin kaum gehört, aber ich muss zugeben, dass mich diese großartige Interpretation dazu einlädt, zu dieser romantischen Reise zurückzukehren. Danke an die Musiker und ihren Dirigenten, die ich entdecke. Ich höre immer gerne dem Hr-Sinfonieorchester zu. Pures Vergnügen. Gut gemacht ! (trad.