# Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 ("Italian")

The driving cello/bass eighth-note accompaniment under the joyful violin theme.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Felix Mendelssohn

- **Work:** Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 ("Italian")

- **Movement:** I. Allegro vivace

- **Era:** Romantic (c. 1820–1880)

- **Composed:** 1833

- **Key:** A

- **Metre:** 6/8

- **Tempo:** Allegro vivace approximately 116 BPM

- **Clef:** Bass clef

- **Difficulty:** Intermediate

- **Audition list:** Not a standard excerpt

## Bowing

Light, off-string detaché, like Italian sunshine.

## Techniques

symphony, detaché

This public reference contains work information and original practice notes. It does not publish the excerpt notation or grant permission to copy a score. Score access and rights depend on the edition and jurisdiction.

## Related excerpts

- [Mendelssohn: Italian Symphony, IV, Saltarello](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/mendelssohn-italian-iv), A breakneck saltarello finale. The cello running passages demand crystal-clear off-string articulation. Advanced; Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Scherzo](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/mendelssohn-mnd-scherzo), Fairy-light Mendelssohn scherzo passage, the textbook test of clean, even, soft spiccato. Audition; Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Dvořák: Symphony No. 8, III, cello melody](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/dvorak-8-iii), A lilting, Slavic waltz. The cellos take the second statement of the theme. Intermediate; Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Schubert: Symphony No. 9, II, cello melody](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/schubert-great-ii), The cellos take over the second statement of the lyrical Andante theme. Intermediate; Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Brahms: Symphony No. 1, II, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/brahms-1-ii), Hushed, expansive opening. The cellos provide the harmonic foundation under the violin theme, total bow control. Advanced; Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Brahms: Symphony No. 3, III, cello melody](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/brahms-3-iii), The famous wistful melody (familiar from many film scores). Cello section sings the principal tune. Advanced; Romantic; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/mendelssohn-italian-i