Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op 90, 'Italian'

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Felix Mendelssohn began composing what came to be known as his Symphony No. 4 – his ‘Italian’ – during a ten-month sojourn in Italy when he was 21. He was much taken with the country’s nature and landscape, and the work features elements drawn from traditional Italian music – a religious procession inspired its second movement, and an animated saltarello forms its fourth. Abandon yourself as Mendelssohn is inspired by Italy's exuberance and her dazzling light. This symphony is a musical grand tour of all things Italian from rollicking beginning to frantic Finale. Composer: Felix Mendelssohn Performers: BBC Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Jiří Bělohlávek Recording date: 23 July 2008 Date of broadcast: 23 July 2008