Mendelssohn in Basingstoke

The three pieces in tonight’s concert exhibit the scintillating promise of Mendelssohn’s early career. At the London premiere of Symphony No. 1 in 1829 one critic wrote that “Fertility of invention and novelty of effect, are what first strike the hearers of M. Mendelssohn’s symphony”. It is followed by the rambunctious Piano Concerto No. 1, whilst the colours of Italy fly out of the orchestra from the first sun-drenched bars of Symphony No. 4.

Part of Mendelssohn: The Complete Symphonies. Hear all five symphonies directed by Sir András Schiff at the Southbank Centre in London from 24 – 26 April.