Symphony No. 5, “Reformation”
- Composed by: Mendelssohn
- Composed: 1830
- Duration: about 30 minutes
Movements:
- Andante — Allegro con fuoco
- Allegro vivace
- Andante
- Chorale: Andante con moto —Allegro vivace
Orchestration: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani, and strings
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper He, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
— Two stanzas from “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” by Martin Luther (c. 1527)