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Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2 - de Vriend

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2 - de Vriend

Challenge Classics  CC 72543

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Vocal


Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2 "Lobgesang"

Judith van Wanroij, Machteld Baumans (sopranos), Patrick Henkens (tenor)
Consensus Vocalis
The Netherlands Symphony Orchestra
Jan Willem de Vriend


A new theme in the discography of The Netherlands Symphony Orchestra and conductor Jan Willem de Vriend: Mendelssohn's Symphonies!

Perhaps this is a form of awakening: the dawning of the rediscovery and re-appreciation of Mendelssohn. Jan Willem de Vriend and his orchestra make their contribution to this. Ferdinand David, the concertmaster of the Gewandhaus Orchester and a friend of Mendelssohn’s, was played a role in the first publications of sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann and many other composers. He provided the fingerings and bowings for these editions. De Vriend got copies of the editions and closely studied them, learning much about how music was played at that time. Through this, he and his orchestra more fully assimilated Mendelssohn and have their own Mendelssohn. This CD will surely become your own Mendelssohn. Enjoy the music.

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Reviews (1)
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Review by John Broggio - August 9, 2015

Well, thanks to Adrian Quanjer and his wonderfully accurate reviews of Mendelssohn: Symphonies 1 & 3 - de Vriend & Mendelssohn: Symphonies 4 & 5 - de Vriend, I gave in and purchased the whole cycle. I completely agree with Adrian's conclusions for the other two volumes - with the completists exception of Mendelssohn: Symphonies 3 & 4 - Holliger for the alternative version of the "Italian" symphony - de Vriend sweeps the board for the "plain" symphonies. This choral symphony has a genuinely outstanding alternative in Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2 - Bernius and de Vriend proves to be every bit as worthy of hearing, providing a compelling vision which is equally deserving of our attention.

In terms of forces, it's no surprise that de Vriend & his Netherlands orchestra is somewhat weightier than for Bernius. There are important stylistic differences between the two that do not always go hand-in-hand with the size of the orchestral forces. One early example is how de Vriend pushes the Allegro of the Sinfonia somewhat less Bernius; the slightly less pressed tempo allows for de Vriend's players to articulate cleanly enough to get the best of Mendelssohn's contrapuntal writing while coming very close indeed to the Bremen players clarity. The continued used of period brass and much more prominent than usual woodwinds all aid this approach. In the following Allegretto, honours are even, with both Bernius and de Vriend pursuing a very similar interpretative course. The Adagio religioso that precedes the start of the choral contributions is ever so slightly quicker here and so where Bernius invoked Beethoven, de Vriend invokes Beethoven with a Mendelssohnian veil thrown over the score - different days, different preferences to this listener!

The central section of the first choral number "Alles, was dem Odem hat" reveals what may well be crucial for those deciding which version to purchase: a judicious application of an organ makes for some delicious tummy wobbles as well as adding a certain spice to select woodwind chords. Compared to Bernius' Kammerchor Stuttgart, the Consensus Vocalis is relatively underweight in number but on the evidence delighting my ears, this is not something that translates directly as if their contributions were dictated by some mathematical formula. The soloists are very much on an even footing between this set and that of Bernius; Judith van Wanroij and Machteld Baumans come together beautifully in their central duet with chorus - neither seeks to attract attention from the other and both are content to "merely" delight in Mendelssohn's music. Patrick Henckens is similarly inspired and sings with the same radiant fervour that de Vriend inspires in the other musicians.

Special mention must go to a part of this performance that seems to sum up the entire performance (and arguably the cycle): the chorus "Die Nacht ist vergangen" emerges as a tumult of orchestral & choral joy (the organ returns at this point and adds an ecstatic dimension) that seems to last far beyond its relatively short duration. The immediate fear is "how can they possibly follow that?" but fortunately de Vriend has carefully his response to both this and the subsequent chorale "Nun danket alle Gott" so that the dissipating tension does not feel as though the mood has been punctured but merely (temporarily) restrained. The resulting Schlusschor, once again with organ obligato, is exactly what is implied by the text - a hymn of praise; de Vriend is passionately evangelical where Bernius' account is more symphonic in outlook (something of a surprise given the conductors respective "home turf").

The recording is just as fine as those that succeeded it & arguably finer as the engineers managed to include an organ and a chorus while producing the same level of clarity.

Enormously recommended - this has not left the vicinity of my player for some weeks now.

Copyright © 2015 John Broggio and HRAudio.net

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Comments (3)
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Comment by Adrian Quanjer - September 2, 2015 (1 of 3)

Thanks John. I have the Bernius (replacing a less successful interpretation) but to complete this outstanding cycle I have now purchased this one as well .

Comment by Marcus DiBenedetto - December 24, 2022 (2 of 3)

Just purchased this album (Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2 "Lobgesang") as part of a box set available on "The Spirit of the Turtle" website, DXD 24/352.8 multichannel surround. I also have the Gardiner version but greatly prefer the de Vriend collection. Soundstage width and depth are superb. I love the vocals. Instruments are clear and well placed. The box set is three albums plus one track ("Ruy Blas"). Highly recommended.

Comment by DYB - January 2, 2023 (3 of 3)

I agree with the above about this performance (and the rest of the cycle.) A superb set (which I'd purchased individually as the discs came out.) I like Gardiner's, but de Vriend's is something extra special.