Two symphonies from Beethoven's so-called 'Heroic' period—No 4 completed in 1806 and the supremely defiant No 5 begun in the same year and completed two years later.
It is difficult to think of Mendelssohn without being reminded of the extraordinary evocative power of his music, capable of conjuring up bright Italian sunshine, grey Scottish landscapes, and the magical world of fairies. He was a child prodigy and an outstanding composer, but he tends nevertheless to be neglected, compared to other members of his generation in the nineteenth century – to the detriment of his art, which is fascinating in so many ways.