String symphonies (Mendelssohn)
Felix Mendelssohn wrote thirteen string symphonies between 1821 and 1823, when he was between 12 and 14 years old. (For his mature symphonies, see here). These symphonies were tributes to Classical symphonies especially by Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Instrumentation. The symphonies are written for a string orchestra. String Symphony No. 11 also contains percussion (timpani, triangle, cymbals) in the second movement. No. 8 exists in two forms: the original for string orchestra, and an arrangement that Mendelssohn wrote that added woodwinds, brass, and timpani. The work is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets , two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani in D and A, and strings. (A typical performance lasts half an hour). Structure. Most of the string symphonies were composed in three movements, with the exceptions of nos. 7, 8 and 9, which are in four movements, nos. 10 and 13 which are in one movement, and no. 11 which is in five movements. Symphonies. No. 13 "Symphoniesatz". Mendelssohn sketched out a 13th string symphony, called ("symphonic movement"). This Grave – Allegro molto is in C minor.