Mendelssohn: Symphony No 4 / Schubert: Symphony No 5 Iona Brown & The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra

• Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D. 485
• 1Allegro07:02
• 2Andante con moto08:36
• 3Menuetto Groove04:56
• 4Allegro vivace05:44
• Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Symphony No. 4 in A major ('Italian'), Op. 90
• 5Allegro vivace10:02
• 6Andante con moto06:11
• 7Con moto moderato05:55
• 8Presto06:10
• Total Runtime54:36

Info for Mendelssohn: Symphony No 4 / Schubert: Symphony No 5

Schubert / Mendelssohn is Naim's second release to feature the world famous violinist and conductor, Iona Brown. Her success as Artistic Director of NCO resulted in the accolade Knight of First Class Order of Merit by the Norwegian royal family, which is testament to her ability to lead an orchestra and warmth as a human being.

The music on this recording is a wonderful showcase for both the orchestra and the two quintessentially romantic composers featured. Recorded during a live series of concerts in Hamar in True Stereo analogue, Iona Brown's amazing ability to evoke sheer bliss lives on through this seminal article in Naim's classical catalogue.

'This is the sort of disc you put on and just enjoy without making mental comparisons to competing versions. These live performances date from 1997, but the recordings sound freshly minted. As I’m sure readers know, Iona Brown, who died in 2004, was long associated with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, first as a violinist in the ensemble, and then eventually as its director. She was appointed artistic director of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra in 1981.' (Jerry Dubins, FanFare)

Iona Brown, solo violin
Norwegian Chamber Orchestra

Recorded in True Stereo analogue by Ken Christianson, Pro Musica, Chicago
Recorded live in Hamar (13h August 1997)
Produced by Iona Brown & Ken Christianson

Super Hi Definition Remaster in 192kHz using Nagra 6D by True Stereo engineer Ken Christianson of Pro Musica, Chicago, Spring 2013

Iona Brown
violinist and conductor, born 7th January 1941, sadly died on 5th June 2004, of cancer at home in Salisbury.

Neville Mariner subsequently wrote that: "Iona personified the essence of the Academy's style of music-making. As a violinist she embraced the romantic movement with warmth and passion, and in the early classical repertoire she displayed a fastidious elegance that observed the performing conventions of the 18th century without letting the music dry out. She was an inspiration to several generations of the orchestra's players, although the altitude of some of her technical and musicianly demands broke a few spirits, and her vibrant personality broke a few hearts.

"For someone who abominated airplanes, she travelled the world of music with remarkable intestinal fortitude; for a lady who loved wine she maintained both her dignity and her figure; and as a companion there was a distinct lack of inactivity. In fact, she was a star." The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1977 under the leadership of Terje Tonnesen, who still works as the NCO's Music Director, who for many years worked in parallel with Iona Brown, who was Music and Artistic Director until 2001.

The NCO has a reputable recorded history including the seminal Salisbury Cathedral concert (playing Tippett, Grieg and Beethoven) under the baton of Iona Brown for Naim and additional recordings for EMI, Virgin, Chandos, BIS and Simax Classics.

Booklet for Mendelssohn: Symphony No 4 / Schubert: Symphony No 5