About this edition
Mendelssohn's Fifth Symphony stands as one of the most stirring testaments to Protestant faith and German cultural identity in the orchestral repertoire. Composed for the tercentenary of the Augsburg Confession in 1830, the "Reformation" Symphony weaves the solemn "Dresden Amen" and Luther's mighty chorale "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" into a work of profound spiritual and musical architecture, culminating in one of the most triumphant finales in symphonic literature.
This score reproduces the authoritative 1877 Breitkopf & Härtel edition from Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdys Werke, edited by Julius Rietz, Mendelssohn's friend and the first curator of his musical legacy. Published as part of the composer's complete works series, this edition represents the scholarly standard established in the decades following Mendelssohn's death, incorporating Rietz's intimate knowledge of the composer's intentions and performance practices. The careful engraving and editorial work of this Leipzig publication has served as the foundation for countless performances and scholarly study of this masterwork.
About this edition:
- Complete full orchestral score
- Standard 8.5" × 11" format for easy reading
- Reproduced from historical public domain sources
- Published by Purple 4R Publishing
This edition faithfully reproduces a classic historical score that has entered the public domain, making Mendelssohn's magnificent symphony accessible to conductors, musicians, and music lovers everywhere. Whether for study, performance, or personal enrichment, this score provides an essential resource for engaging with one of the 19th century's most powerful symphonic statements.
