Benjamin Haemhouts & Casco Phil
Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 4 ‘Italian’
Artist: Benjamin Haemhouts & Casco Phil - Conductor: Benjamin Haemhouts - Composer: Felix Mendelssohn - Orchestra: Casco Phil
Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 4 ‘Italian’
During Felix Mendelssohn’s tour of Europe from 1829 to 1831, he visited Italy and was inspired to write Symphony No. 4, Italian. As Mendelssohn's diaries have survived, his travels are well-documented and have been published in various languages. Mendelssohn describes Italy as his supreme joy in life, suggesting that his Italian symphony would be his jolliest piece. He completed the work in 1833, conducting it later that year to great acclaim. Although the piece increased Mendelssohn's popularity, he decided against publishing it, even after continuous revisions. Only an 1851 version survives in print. In this broadcast, it is performed superbly by Benjamin Haemhouts and his Casco Phil.