Sinfonia No. 8: String Symphony in D

This is the eighth among thirteen string symphonies written between 1821 and 1823, when Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was twelve to fourteen years old. Like the other twelve, it was written as a tribute to early Classical symphonies by composers such as Haydn, J.C. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, and Mozart, a feature much more obvious in the first six as they were more imitative. The second grouping, starting with Sinfonia No. 7, show more of the composer’s emerging personal style. Mendelssohn composed most of the thirteen works in three movements, but his eighth is an exception to the rule, with four movements instead. One of Mendelssohn’s favorites, and among his most successful works, he loved the work so much that he began orchestrating it with winds, brass, and timpani only days after completing the string orchestra version, making it his first full orchestra work. The second movement includes three viola parts, so a string count of 8-8-2/2/2-5-5 are included in this set.