Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 + 5 / The Hebrides Overture

Felix Mendelssohn’s early childhood as a composer is considered by many to surpass even that of Mozart. The works recorded here preserve much of this sense of youthful inspiration and vitality. The "Italian" Symphony is a prime example of an exquisite balance between classical and romantic elements, filled with warm lyrical charm that reflects the composer’s trip to Italy in 1830. From its solemn opening to its triumphant coda, the expressive world of the "Reformation Symphony" is created primarily through the dramatic use of famous hymn-like melodies. "The Hebrides," unmatched in its evocation of atmosphere and mood, served as a model for the numerous tone poems that followed. These classic Vox recordings of the Baltimore Symphony are conducted by Sergiu Comissiona, the Romanian-born music director of the orchestra from 1969 to 1984, who molded the orchestra into one of America's best. This 1974 Vox Audiophile Edition recording was first released on vinyl in 1975 and is now appearing in a carefully remastered edition that faithfully reproduces the analog warmth and crystal-clear transparency of the original production.