Mendelssohn must have held his symphony-cantata Lobgesang in particularly high regard. It was printed as his second symphony, following the publication of his first symphony, but at a time when his Italian Symphony and Reformation Symphony had already been composed. Shortly after its publication the work was performed to great acclaim in Winterthur – which means that this new recording by the Musikkollegium Winterthur stands in the best tradition. Led by its principal conductor Douglas Boyd, the Winterthur symphonic cycle on MDG reaches its magnificent culmination.
The Musikkollegium is joined by a top trio formed by the soloists Lisa Larsson, Malin Hartelius, and Jörg Dürmüller. Just listen to the captivating soprano duet “Hüter, ist die Nacht bald hin?” After what feels like infinity, Lisa Larsson’s angelic soprano answers with “Die Nacht ist vergangen!”
