Sonata No 4 in Bb, 1st Movement, Allegro Con Brio скачать в хорошем качестве

Sonata No 4 in Bb, 1st Movement, Allegro Con Brio

Mendelssohn packed an extraordinary amount into his short life - he died from a stroke at the age of 38. He was a prolific composer, a coveted conductor, a fine pianist and a highly regarded organist. His work took him to various parts of Europe and he was particularly popular in England, where his monumental oratorio 'Elijah' was performed in 1846, a year before his death. His organ recitals in England (notably including St Paul's Cathedral) drew large audiences and in 1845 an English publisher commissioned him to write a set of six organ pieces. Mendelssohn chose to call this ambitious collection 'Sonatas' but their forms do not conform to Classical conventions. This opening movement contrasts two themes: an exuberant flourish in Bb and a march like section in the relative minor of G. After the initial introductions the themes combine thrillingly, moving freely from manuals to pedals. I am most grateful to Richard Mander, the Director of Music at St Mildred's, for allowing me to record on the church's wonderful new instrument and to The Gauze House Studios for the excellent production.