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Gemini - Mendelssohn: Symphonies No 3-5, Etc / Muti, Et Al
Release Date: 04/24/2007
Label: EMI Classics Catalog #: 81788 Spars Code: ADD
Composer: Felix Mendelssohn
Conductor: Riccardo Muti, Moshe Atzmón
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Number of Discs: 2
Recorded in: Stereo
Length: 2 Hours 31 Mins.
EAN: 0094638178828
Works on This Recording
1. Symphony no 3 in A minor, Op. 56 "Scottish" by Felix Mendelssohn
Conductor: Riccardo Muti
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1842; Germany
Venue: Kingsway Hall, London, England
Length: 44 Minutes 15 Secs.
Notes: Kingsway Hall, London, England (10/01/1975 - 10/02/1975)
2. Symphony no 4 in A major, Op. 90 "Italian" by Felix Mendelssohn
Conductor: Riccardo Muti
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1833; Germany
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, Engl
Length: 29 Minutes 13 Secs.
Notes: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, England (07/23/1976 - 09/10/1976)
3. Symphony no 5 in D major, Op. 107 "Reformation" by Felix Mendelssohn
Conductor: Riccardo Muti
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1832; Germany
Venue: Kingsway Hall, London, England
Length: 32 Minutes 6 Secs.
Notes: Kingsway Hall, London, England (01/18/1979 - 01/19/1979)
4. Hebrides Overture, in B minor Op. 26 "Fingal's Cave" by Felix Mendelssohn
Conductor: Moshe Atzmón
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1829-1832; Rome, Italy
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, Engl
Length: 9 Minutes 32 Secs.
Notes: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, England (08/09/1974 - 08/11/1974)
5. Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage Overture, in D major Op. 27 by Felix Mendelssohn
Conductor: Moshe Atzmón
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1828; Germany
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, Engl
Length: 11 Minutes 27 Secs.
Notes: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, England (08/09/1974 - 08/11/1974)
6. Athalie, Op. 74: Overture by Felix Mendelssohn
Conductor: Moshe Atzmón
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1845; Germany
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, Engl
Length: 9 Minutes 20 Secs.
Notes: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, England (08/09/1974 - 08/11/1974)
7. Die Heimkehr aud der Fremde, Op. 89: Overture by Felix Mendelssohn
Conductor: Moshe Atzmón
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1829; Germany
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, Engl
Length: 7 Minutes 48 Secs.
Notes: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, England (08/09/1974 - 08/11/1974)
8. Ruy Blas Overture, Op. 95 by Felix Mendelssohn
Conductor: Moshe Atzmón
Orchestra/Ensemble: New Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1839; Germany
Venue: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, Engl
Length: 7 Minutes 28 Secs.
Notes: EMI Abbey Road Studio no 1, London, England (08/09/1974 - 08/11/1974)
Notes and Editorial Reviews
AllMusic Review by James Leonard
If you were looking for recordings of Mendelssohn's three best-known symphonies back in the late '70s, would there have been any compelling reason to try these recordings by Riccardo Muti and the New Philharmonia? With competition from the athletic Abbado, the suave Karajan, the doughty Klemperer, the powerful Maag, the weighty Masur, and the sleek Szell, would there have been a compelling reason to try Muti's always dutiful and sometimes credible but not often beautiful and rarely persuasive performances? No, not really: Muti hacks his way through the scores with nothing more than skillful energy and the New Philharmonia blows and saws its way through the music with nothing more than professional commitment. There's no sparkle to the "Italian," no fervor in the "Reformation," and no strength in the "Scottish" -- just practiced competency. The coupling of five overtures led with grit by Moshe Atzmon and played with determination by the New Philharmonia from 1974 adds only playing time to the second disc. EMI's stereo sound is colorful, but a bit harsh and close.
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