Mendelssohn: Symphonies No. 1 & 4

Mendelssohn was only fifteen when he composed his First Symphony by which time he had already written twelve string symphonies. His Symphony No. 4, widely known as the 'Italian' is one of Mendelssohn's most loved compositions. The Ruy Blas overture was written for a play by Victor Hugo. The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Andrew Litton began their cycle of Mendelssohn’s symphonies with Symphony No. 2 ‘Hymn of Praise’ which was described as ‘suitably glowing’ by the reviewer in Financial Times, and ‘alert and vigorous’ in BBC Music Magazine.