Loading…
- Mendelssohn, Felix
Duration: 12 minutes
Description: The concert overture MEERESTILLE UND GLÜCKLICHE FAHRT (CALM SEA AND PROSPEROUS VOYAGE), OP. 27, is a setting of two Goethe poems by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). Beethoven was inspired by this poetry when he composed his cantata of the same name in 1815. The overture begins with a slow introduction depicting the calm sea, then the voyage of the ship as the wind fills its sails and its eventual arrival at the yonder port. The first private performance was heard at the composer’s home on September 8, 1828. Its public premiere took place at a benefit concert in Berlin on December 1, 1832. An 1834 revision is the only surviving version performed today. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2+CBsn: 2.3.1(opt. sub. for Srpnt).0: Timp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set). Originally written for serpent and contrabassoon, which are unison throughout, a trombone part has also been included as a substitute for the serpent. Reprint edition.