Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5, "Reformation"

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the London Symphony Orchestra join forces once again in the latest instalment of their exploration of Mendelssohns symphonies. The previous release, Mendelssohns Symphony No 3 Scottish, Overture: The Hebrides and Schumanns Piano Concerto has received widespread critical acclaim. Gramophone awarded the album Editors Choice and called it a truly memorable performance, International Record Review observed that it is so good that it can be recommended without hesitation and it received an ICMA 2014 nomination in the Best Collection category. Mendelssohns Symphony No 5, commonly known as the Reformation Symphony, was written in 1830 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Augsberg confession a seminal event in the Protestant Reformation. Allusions to the symphonys title and inspiration can be heard throughout the music itself; the Dresden Amen is cited by the strings in the first movement whilst the finale is based on Martin Luthers well-known chorale Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress is Our God). Coupled with this are two of Mendelssohns overtures, Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage and Ruy Blas, both of which were inspired by literary works. Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, based on two short poems by Goethe, depicts the journey of sailors at sea with a still adagio opening ultimately giving way to a triumphant homecoming. Completing the album, the overture Ruy Blas was commissioned by the Leipzig Theatre as an overture to Victor Hugos tragic drama of the same name.