Mendelssohn · Felix Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 2 in B♭ major "Hymn of Praise"
A symphony plus chorus celebrating 400 years of printing
- Key
- B♭ major
- Composed
- 1840
- Premiere
- 1840 Leipzig
- Duration
- about 65 min
- Movements
- 10 movements
- Instrumentation
- Woodwinds 2·2·2·2 · Brass 4·2·3·0 · Timpani · Keyboard (organ) · Soloists (2 sopranos, tenor) · Chorus · Strings
The story behind this piece
In 1840, Germany celebrated 400 years since Gutenberg invented movable-type printing, and Mendelssohn wrote the "Lobgesang" (Hymn of Praise) for the festival. He conducted the premiere himself on June 25, 1840, at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig.
Only the orchestra plays the first three movements, and then a long stretch follows in which soloists and chorus sing passages from the Bible. Mendelssohn called it a "symphony-cantata," and the number "Symphony No. 2" was added when it was published after his death.
What to listen for
- When the first three movements end, the chorus and soloists make their first entrance. It's the moment the symphony suddenly turns into an oratorio.
- The chorale in the second half: the chorus sings the famous German hymn "Nun danket alle Gott" (Now Thank We All Our God).
Listen · Score
- Hear the full piece on YouTube · hr-Sinfonieorchester · Alain Altinoglu
- Free scores on IMSLP (full score and parts)
Credits