While it's certainly much appreciated that the new Chandos Intro series of discs offers entire works rather than just bits and chunks of selected pieces, they can still give a somewhat skewed view of a composer's oeuvre. With this introduction to Mendelssohn, for example, are listeners to assume based on this program that all of his significant output involved an orchestra? Certainly not. Where are the chamber works -- string quartets, piano trios, instrumental sonatas? Where are the solo piano works? How about some of his lieder? An introductory disc certainly cannot be all-encompassing, but with a composer as prolific as Mendelssohn, there's no excuse for confining the listener solely to orchestral works.
That said, the performances offered on the disc do an acceptable job of representing the pieces on the program. The Hebrides Overture, performed by the
Scottish National Orchestra, may be the best overall performance on the album. The
SNO's interpretation is filled with mystery, intrigue, and energy. Less energetic, surprisingly, is the
Philharmonia Orchestra's rendition of the Fourth Symphony. Instead of sparkling, vivacious, and pinpoint precision, the orchestra's playing is somewhat lackluster -- entrances sometimes not together, sound sometimes dull and inarticulate, and rhythms that are very soft around the edges.