Mendelssohn: Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Op. 27 (Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt)

During the 1950s, 60s and 70s, Decca recorded a number of albums with some of its key conductors of Overtures. Many of these were singled out by the press for their terrific sound quality (the fabled ‘Decca Sound’) and for their often adventurous programming. Some of them also included entr’actes and intermezzi. Prized as collectors’ items, many of the original LPs exchange hands at high prices. And most of these reissues, in Decca Eloquence’s ‘Romantic Overtures’ series appear in CD, in part or whole, for the first time.

Romantic Overtures – Volume 3 features a conductor who recorded for Decca over a span of 36 years, from the 78 / early LP era (1949) to 1985: Karl Münchinger. Best known for his recordings from the Baroque and Classical eras, made mostly with ‘his’ Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, he also recorded with the Vienna Philharmonic and made just one recording – of Schumann’s Manfred and Gluck’s Alceste Overtures – with L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (in 1954). Appearing on CD for the first time, they round off a 2CD set that includes, also for the first time on CD, Münchinger’s recording of Beethoven Overtures, as well as a remarkable recording ‘Romantic Overtures’ of music by Weber, Schumann, Schubert, Cherubini and Mendelssohn. Also included is Schubert’s Zauberharfe overture which appeared on Münchinger’s famous disc of the incidental music for Rosamunde.

Mendelssohn’s ‘Scottish’ Symphony, Riccardo Muti’s choice for his first orchestral recording, led Gramophone magazine to judge that: ‘Muti seems a natural Mendelssohnian … this could hardly be more auspicious … full of electricity and a sense of occasion.’ The ‘Italian’ Symphony was subsequently greeted as ‘a glowing, exhilarating performance’, while assessing the ‘Reformation’ Symphony, the reviewer stated: ‘I am immediately impressed’. Complementing the works by Mendelssohn in this collection are tone-poems by Liszt and Franck.

The third volume in this Welte-Philharmonic-Organ series is dedicated primarily to entertainment on board a steamer. It also pays tribute to the sister ship of the Britannic, the Titanic. The CD includes In Memoriam Titanic written in commemoration, as 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage. Also included is Chopin’s Funeral March, 20th century “cinematic accompaniment” and dance music.

The 'Scottish Symphony' gives a clear indication of Mendelssohn’s fastidiousness as a composer. He thought about it for thirteen years before finally giving the work its first performance in 1842. As a result – despite the numbering – it became Mendelssohn’s last word as a symphonist.

A day by the sea: but there's not a kiss-me quick hat or stick of rock in sight! Instead, imagine sitting on the cliff top or on the harbour wall listening to the ebb and flow of the sea as captured in this album of tranquil music, all of which takes the ocean as its theme, or which flows elegantly like the sound of the waves themselves!