String symphonies (Mendelssohn)

Felix Mendelssohn wrote twelve string symphonies between 1821 and 1823, when he was between 12 and 14 years old. For his mature symphonies, see here.

Instrumentation

The string symphonies are written for a string orchestra. String Symphony No. 11 also contains percussion (timpani, triangle, cymbals).

Structure

Most of the string symphonies were composed in three movements, with the exceptions of nos. 7, 8 and 9, which are in four movements, no. 10 which is in one movement, and no. 11 which is in five movements.^[1]

Movements

No. 1 in C major

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro

No. 2 in D major

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro vivace

No. 3 in E minor

1. Allegro di molto
2. Andante
3. Allegro

No. 4 in C minor

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

No. 5 in B-flat major

1. Allegro vivace
2. Andante
3. Presto

No. 6 in E-flat major

1. Allegro
2. Menuetto
3. Prestissimo

No. 7 in D minor

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

No. 8 in D major

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

Mendelssohn also created an arrangement of this symphony that included winds, brass, and timpani.

No. 9 in C major

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

No. 10 in B minor

1. Adagio – Allegro – Piu presto

No. 11 in F major

1. Adagio – Allegro molto
2. Scherzo comodo. Schweizerlied
3. Adagio
4. Menuetto: Allegro moderato
5. Allegro molto

No. 12 in G minor

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

Symphoniesatz

Mendelssohn also wrote a movement for a string symphony in C minor, known as the "Symphoniesatz".

References

1. "Twelve String Symphonies" at Hyperion Records

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