German composer Felix Mendelssohn once referred to his Fourth, or "Italian," Symphony as "the jolliest piece I’ve ever done" — no mean feat for one who also wrote the classic wedding march ("A Midsummer Night’s Dream") that brings most American brides down the aisle.

But the "Italian" does indeed verify the sappy adage that "a thing of beauty is a joy forever." The perfectly balanced, meticulously scored work begins with the sweeping heraldry of the opening sonata, goes to the "Pilgrim’s March" processional minuet, glides through the lyrical refinement of the trumpet-tagged third movement and finishes up with the minor-key splendor of a rousing Roman dance. Classical purists occasionally turn up their noses at its proletarian appeal, but I’ll confess that it happens to be one of my all-time favorite pieces of music.

The four movements can be heard here, here, here and here.

The Mendelssohn symphony will anchor this weekend’s program for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, which is using the final four weeks of its season to showcase Romantic works led by SPCO members. Before the Mendelssohn (performed without conductor), the orchestra’s principal cellist, Ronald Thomas, will be featured in Schumann’s Concerto in A Minor for Cello and Orchestra, an unbroken, three-movement work climaxed by a cello cadenza that has been performed both unaccompanied and with orchestra. Thomas will also participate in the opulent Brahms Sextet No. 2 in G for Two Violins, Two Violas and Two Cellos.

SPCO Romantic Works, featuring cellist Ronald Thomas, Friday, May 22, at 10:30 a.m., and Saturday, May 23, at 8 p.m. at the Ordway Theater, and Sunday, May 24, at the Ted Mann Concert Hall; tickets $11-$59 with children $5.