Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

Symphony No. 2 in B-flat or Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise)

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) wrote Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise), Op. 52 in 1840 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. Described by the composer as a "Symphony-Cantata on Words of the Holy Bible for Soloists, Choir and Orchestra," the work starts with the orchestra-only for the first three movements, then ten more movements for vocal soloists, mixed chorus, and orchestra follow. The work premiered on June 25th, 1840, in Leipzig with the Thomaskirche, Mendelssohn conducting. The designation as Symphony No. 2 was a decision made by the publisher after Mendelssohn's death, and while the work has become popularly known by that title since, there is nothing to suggest that this decision represented the composer's intentions. The 6th movement overall or the 5th movement of the cantata section, Ich harrete des Herrn (I Waited for the Lord) takes its text from Psalm 40 of the Bible. It is written for two soprano soloists, chorus, and orchestra. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.0.0.0: Str (4-4-3-3-3 in set): Soprano Duet: Mix Chorus.