String symphonies (Mendelssohn)

Felix Mendelssohn wrote thirteen string symphonies between 1821 and 1823, when he was between 12 and 14 years old. (For his mature symphonies, see here). These symphonies were tributes to Classical symphonies especially by Joseph Haydn, Johann Christian Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Instrumentation

The symphonies are written for a string orchestra. String Symphony No. 11 also contains percussion (timpani, triangle, cymbals) in the second movement. No. 8 exists in two forms: the original for string orchestra, and an arrangement that Mendelssohn wrote that added woodwinds, brass, and timpani. The work is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani in D and A, and strings. (A typical performance lasts half an hour). Symphonies 1 to 7 are the less "symphonic" and more relatable to the classical Divertimento (in the model of Mozart's KV 136, 137 and 138). From n.º 8 on, we find a more sophisticated writing, probably influenced by Mendelssohn's study on the organistic repertoire. The whole of Symphonies 9, 10 and 13 and some movements in n.º 8, 11 and 12 ask for two viola sections, a forgotten feature since the baroque period.

Structure

The string symphonies nos. 1-6 and 12 were composed in three movements. Nos. 7, 8 and 9 have four movements, nos. 10 and 13 have one movement, and no. 11 is in five movements.

Symphonies

No. 1 in C major, MWV N 1

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro

No. 2 in D major, MWV N 2

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro vivace

No. 3 in E minor, MWV N 3

1. Allegro di molto
2. Andante
3. Allegro

No. 4 in C minor, MWV N 4

1. Grave – Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro vivace

No. 5 in B-flat major, MWV N 5

1. Allegro vivace
2. Andante
3. Presto

No. 6 in E-flat major, MWV N 6

1. Allegro
2. Menuetto
3. Prestissimo

No. 7 in D minor, MWV N 7

1. Allegro
2. Andante amorevole
3. Menuetto
4. Allegro molto

No. 8 in D major, MWV N 8 (two versions, one for strings and another with winds)

1. Adagio e grave – Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Menuetto
4. Allegro molto

No. 9 in C major, MWV N 9

1. Grave – Allegro
2. Andante
3. Scherzo
4. Allegro vivace

No. 10 in B minor, MWV N 10

1. Adagio – Allegro – Piu presto

No. 11 in F major, MWV N 11

1. Adagio – Allegro molto
2. Scherzo comodo. Schweizerlied (Swiss Song)
3. Adagio
4. Menuetto: Allegro moderato – Trio
5. Allegro molto

No. 12 in G minor, MWV N 12

1. Fuga: Grave – Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro molto

No. 13 Symphoniesatz, MWV N 14

Mendelssohn sketched out a 13th string symphony, called Symphoniesatz ("symphonic movement"). This Grave – Allegro molto is in C minor.

External links

• String Symphony No.1: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.2: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.3: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.4: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.5: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.6: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.7: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.8: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.9: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.10: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.11: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.12: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• String Symphony No.13 Sinfoniesatz: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project