Mendelssohn - Symphony No 4 in A Major "Italian" - first two movements

Kurt Masur is one of the great European conductors of our time who recently celebrated 60 years as a maestro. For 26 years he was Kapellmeister of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, following in the footsteps not only of Wilhelm Furtwängler and Bruno Walter but of Felix Mendelssohn himself who was in charge of the orchestra for twelve years until his death in 1847.

In this masterclass, the maestro works on the first two movements of the Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 of Mendelssohn, known as the Italian. This lesson is followed by a complete performance of four students, each of them conducting one movement of this bright and light work. Composed in 1830 during a halt in Italy, it was inspired by the landscapes of the country and by the romantic emotions that the young man felt during his trip. Completed in 1833, this great success was long considered his best symphony, before the Scottish was in turn glorified.

Students: Daniele Rustioni, Huba Hollokoy

In partnership with The Masterclass Media Foundation Archives, which provides a valuable educational resource in order to perpetuate musical passion and knowledge from one generation to another. [MMF032]