Felix Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 2 'Lobgesang' (Masaaki Suzuki)

Information

Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

• Symphony No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 52, "Lobgesang"

Jone Martínez, soprano

Eri Sawae, soprano

Benjamin Bruns, tenor

Bach Collegium Japan

Masaaki Suzuki, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: BIS

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Masaaki Suzuki and Bach Collegium Japan, widely admired for their interpretations of Bach’s vocal music, continue their exploration of major choral repertoire with Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2 “Lobgesang” (Hymn of Praise). This symphony-cantata combines three orchestral movements with an expansive choral finale for soloists, choir, and orchestra, echoing the structure of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony while placing even greater emphasis on the vocal conclusion. Drawing on biblical texts and specially commissioned poetry, the work blends German Romantic symphonic writing with chorale-inspired passages that evoke the cantata tradition. Premiered at St. Thomas’ Church in Leipzig to mark the 400th anniversary of Gutenberg’s printing press, it quickly became one of Mendelssohn’s most celebrated compositions.

Masaaki Suzuki (born April 29, 1954, in Kobe, Japan) is a distinguished conductor, organist, and harpsichordist renowned for his interpretations of Baroque music, particularly the works of J.S. Bach. He studied composition and organ at the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music before continuing his training in harpsichord and organ at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam with Ton Koopman and Piet Kee. After earning soloist diplomas, he received prizes at the Bruges Flanders Festival competitions. Since 1990 he has served as musical director of Bach Collegium Japan, gaining international acclaim through numerous recordings and performances. Suzuki has also taught organ and harpsichord at the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music and served as visiting professor at Yale.

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