Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang: Symphony No.2 or Not?
Symphony No.2 Lobgesang. It is easy to misunderstand that this is Mendelssohn’s second symphony, subtitled Lobgesang. This was not the case. If we look at when Mendelssohn’s symphonies were composed – No.3 Scottish was done in 1829-1842. No.4 Italian in 1833 and revised in 1834. Lobgesang? 1840. By timing alone Lobgesang couldn’t have been the 2nd symphony. What happened then?
Turns out that when Mendelssohn published his Scottish Symphony, he published it as No.3. Perhaps “No.2” was reserved for the Italian Symphony that eventually became his No.4 when it was published after the composer’s death. No.2 was left empty until an editor of the Mendelssohn complete edition entered Lobgesang as No.2. In the latest editions, however, it is no longer “Symphony No.2” – but it is already known as such!
Anyway, what’s in a name? Be it Symphony No.2 or Lobgesang, this is 70 minutes of pure vocal and orchestral bliss. Come hear us perform this monumental work in the upcoming Learners concert on September 23, 2017!
Come hear us perform Ešenvalds’ addictively beautiful Northern Lights with soloist Sandy Leung, Arvo Pärt’s Credo with world-renowned pianist Warren Lee, Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang and more in the upcoming Learners concert on September 23, 2017! Tickets now available at URBTIX outlets or online at http://www.urbtix.hk/internet/eventDetail/32901