String symphonies (Mendelssohn)

Instrumentation

The string symphonies are written for a string orchestra. String Symphony No. 11 also contains percussion (timpani, triangle, cymbals).

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, no. 10 which is in one movement, and no. 11 which is in five movements.

No. 1 in C major

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro

No. 2 in D major

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro vivace

No. 3 in E minor

1. Allegro di molto
2. Andante
3. Allegro

No. 4 in C minor

1. Grave – Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro vivace

No. 5 in B-flat major

1. Allegro vivace
2. Andante
3. Presto

No. 6 in E-flat major

1. Allegro
2. Menuetto
3. Prestissimo

No. 7 in D minor

1. Allegro
2. Andante amorevole
3. Menuetto
4. Allegro molto

No. 8 in D major

1. Adagio e grave – Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Menuetto
4. Allegro molto

Mendelssohn also created an arrangement of this symphony that included wind, brass, and timpani.

No. 9 in C major

1. Grave – Allegro
2. Andante
3. Scherzo
4. Allegro vivace

No. 10 in B minor

1. Adagio – Allegro – Piu presto

No. 11 in F major

1. Adagio – Allegro molto
2. Scherzo comodo. Schweizerlied
3. Adagio
4. Menuetto: Allegro moderato
5. Allegro molto

No. 12 in G minor

1. Fuga: Grave – Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro molto

Symphoniesatz

Mendelssohn also wrote a movement for a string symphony in C minor, known as the "Symphoniesatz".