Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) String Symphony No. 9 in C major (1823) 00:00 - Grave. Allegro 08:22 - Andante 15:12 - Scherzo and Trio (La Suisse) 18:06 - Allegro vivace Performed by the Northern Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Nicholas Ward. "The String Symphony No. 9 in C major opens with a sombre slow introduction, followed by a lighter-hearted Allegro, its vigorous first subject leading to a more lyrical second subject, with a contrapuntal development at the heart of the movement. The Andante again makes use of solo instruments, this time four solo violins, accompanied by two violas, cello and double bass, in music that is effective in its moving contrasted chamber-music texture. The brilliant Scherzo has a Trio inspired by a holiday in Switzerland, a yodelling song, described in the autograph score simply as La Suisse. The opening of the last movement portends drama, leading before long to the deft handling of counterpoint that is now expected." - Keith Anderson Painting: Boy with a Spinning Top, Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin