Mendelssohn Project Vol. 4 - String Symphonies Nos. 8, 9 & 10

Witness first hand the developmental process of one of the most outstanding personalities in the history of music with volume 4 of dogma chamber orchestra's Mendelssohn Project. With inimitable verve, the 20-strong ensemble combines increasing musical demands with youthful freshness to create an impressive feast for the ears.

While Felix was initially inspired by the baroque masters on the advice of his teacher Zelter, the advanced student is now completely in tune with the times. The Scherzo from Symphony No. 9, which could also have been by Beethoven, demonstrates the newly found artistic independence by the young composer - the gently swinging "Swiss song" in the Trio exudes all the charm of an alpine landscape.

The slow movements of the two "great" symphonies 8 and 9 are orchestrated in a surprisingly original way: The darkly coloured Adagio in the 8th is played exclusively by violas and bass instruments. In contrast, four-part violins provide an almost transcendental vibrancy to the opening of the Andante in the 9th which is taken over by the low strings in the middle section, and united at the end with with fanned-out harmonies.

Symphony No. 10 consists of only one Allegro movement with an extended, expressive introduction. dogma chamber orchestra's explosive performance of the short piece in B minor is spectacular in MDG's realistic three-dimensional reproduction.

• Mendelssohn: String Symphony No. 8 in D major
• Mendelssohn: String Symphony No. 9 in C major
• Mendelssohn: String Symphony No. 10 in B minor