Hidden treasures (Appendix) - Felix Mendelssohn - Die Heimkehr aus der Fremde (1829) - Sinfonia

Background Painting: "A Normandy Landscape" by Camille Flers.

While Mendelssohn's charming little opera is a most wonderful musical present, it is undeniable that its two highlights are not actually any of the vocal numbers but two orchestral pieces: the sublime notturno signaling the coming of the sun and the presented elaborate sinfonia.

The piece is question is a perfect description of the action to come and the musical style the opera adheres to. The opening serenity of the harmonious andante (which actually closes the piece in place of a conventional coda) seems to symbolize at once the future happiness of the lovers and the peace and quiet of the Mendelssohn household, while the following stern horns, combining with a more agitated string melody, is a winning portrayal of the young soldier returning home to an ecstatic village, while the warm exchange of a constant rising motive is a simple humorous gesture. However, the central section of the sinfonia gives way to a strikingly minor episode, reminding one of Lisbeth's wistful aria, and, indeed, the inevitable pain Kauz could bring the family of Hermann. Mendelssohn, though, does not allow this mood to become dominant (in spite of its return just before the final measures of the piece) and soon settles once more for the familiar rising motive that is soon developed into a tutti. A most bright opening to a similarly delightful opera.

Helmunt Rilling, leading the Radio-Sinfonieorchester, provides one with much to admire, especially notable is the clarity of line and the romantic color of the winds

Hope you'll enjoy :).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• coloratura
• romantic
• belcanto

[ALMC04]

A lovely piece.

[alexanfaria]

great! thanks for posting!