Another Musical Thread - Mendelssohn Symphonies

[Shapley]

I'm considering adding some Mendelssohn symphonies to my CD collection and need some advice. I took a look at the selection at the local Barnes & Noble and found a few available. They have a set, or rather two CD sets (The Symphonies Vol 1 and The Symphonies, Vol. 2, by Christoph von Dohnányi and the Vienna Philharmonic that looks promising. In addition to the symphonies, there is a selection of overtures included.

I'm only familiar with his fourth symphony, which I have on one CD and also on vinyl but haven't listened to in quite a while. I believe a movement or two of it is also on one of 'greatest music' CD's.

Anyone have any recommendations, or are you familiar with this set at all? The 'listen' feature at the B&N store allows you only to hear about 1 minute of the first two tracks, which is not sufficient to get a feel for it, IMHO.

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

V/R
Shapley

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Do you have a Borders nearby? Find the CD, take it over to the listening counter, pull up a chair, and ask the clerk to put it on for you. They will. They don't appreciate you sitting through the whole CD, but you are expected to listen for a lot more than a minute.

[Shapley]

Do you have a Borders nearby? Find the CD, take it over to the listening counter, pull up a chair, and ask the clerk to put it on for you. They will. They don't appreciate you sitting through the whole CD, but you are expected to listen for a lot more than a minute.

No, we don't have Borders around here. There is one in Paducah, KY and Marion, IL, both about an hour away, but Barnes & Nobles holds sway here in Cape Girardeau.

We do have a music store that lets you listen before you buy, but their classical selection is extremely limited.

[Catmando]

Shap,

As you saw me post a few days ago, I just received a complete set of Mendelssohn's 5 symphonies, conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Deutches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.

In fact, I just had a listen to both the 3rd "Scottish" and 4th "Italian" symphonies today and greatly enjoyed both!

The price was right!

It does have a few reviews on Amazon, although I did purchase it through B&N.

Mendelssohn Ashkenazy Complete Symphonies

[Shapley]

Cat,

It was your post that got me to thinking I needed to add some Mendelssohn to my collection. That set is not available at our local store, but I did see it online. Glad to see that you like it.

I was hoping to get some feedback on comparable sets, before I make my choice. In the meantime, that one may make its' way into the store.

V/R

Shapley

[navneeth]

Hey, Shap...I discovered this set yesterday, and I have added to my wishlist, too. I think it is good value for money.

[Shapley]

Nav,

Looks like a good set. I went with the set by Christoph von Dohnányi and the Vienna Philharmonic. I've listened to Vol. 1. I've also played Vol. 2, but I was interrupted so many times that I may as well not have, so I'll have to play it again when I actually have time to listen to it.

I like the selection on the set you listed. The Dohnányi set has some of the overtures, but doesn't have Midsummer Night's Dream, which I always enjoy. It does, however, include Die Erste Walpurgisnacth.

V/R
Shapley

[Shapley]

Nav,

Looks like a good set. I went with the set by Christoph von Dohnányi and the Vienna Philharmonic. I've listened to Vol. 1. I've also played Vol. 2, but I was interrupted so many times that I may as well not have, so I'll have to play it again when I actually have time to listen to it.

I like the selection on the set you listed. The Dohnányi set has some of the overtures, but doesn't have Midsummer Night's Dream, which I always enjoy. It does, however, include Die Erste Walpurgisnacth.

V/R
Shapley

[jamiebk]

Shap,

I don't have the full collection of Mendelssohn works, but I do have this CD, which I think is excellent: http://www.amazon.com/Felix-Mendelssohn ... B0000041QW

(I also have the Dvorak "New World" ala Solti...pretty good rendering)

[navneeth]

I saw one with #3 & 4 with Bernstein and Israel PO at the store here, but after seeing that at amazon, I think I'll go for that boxed set. (I think it would work out cheaper than most 2CD sets I get here!)

[Catmando]

Hey, Shap...I discovered this set yesterday, and I have added to my wishlist, too. I think it is good value for money.

It does look like an awesome set. I'm happy to see that it includes the Octet for strings.