Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night's Dream
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Felix Mendelssohn
Label: Masters
Magazine Review Date: 7/1994
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 63
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: MCD78
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Overture, Op. 21 |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Bach Choir Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Jean Rigby, Mezzo soprano Judith Howarth, Soprano Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Scherzo (Entr'acte to Act 2) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Bach Choir Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Jean Rigby, Mezzo soprano Judith Howarth, Soprano Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Song with chorus: 'You spotted snakes' (Act 2) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Bach Choir Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Jean Rigby, Mezzo soprano Judith Howarth, Soprano Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Entr'acte/Intermezzo (Hermia seeks Lysander; Entrystics: Act 3) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Bach Choir Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Jean Rigby, Mezzo soprano Judith Howarth, Soprano Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Nocturne (Act 3) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Bach Choir Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Jean Rigby, Mezzo soprano Judith Howarth, Soprano Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Wedding March (Entr'acte to Act 5) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Bach Choir Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Jean Rigby, Mezzo soprano Judith Howarth, Soprano Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Fanfare and Funeral March (Act 5) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Bach Choir Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Jean Rigby, Mezzo soprano Judith Howarth, Soprano Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Bergomask (Dance of the Rustics: Act 5) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Bach Choir Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Jean Rigby, Mezzo soprano Judith Howarth, Soprano Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Wedding March reprise (Act 5) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Bach Choir Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Jean Rigby, Mezzo soprano Judith Howarth, Soprano Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Finale: 'Through the house' (Act 5) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Bach Choir Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Jean Rigby, Mezzo soprano Judith Howarth, Soprano Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (Die) Schöne Melusine |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Francesco d' Avalos, Conductor Philharmonia Orchestra |
Author:
This version of A Midsummer Night's Dream has the advantage of being absolutely complete. It's true that one or two of the shorter and less familiar numbers sound rather lost away from the text, and that's where Masur's complete version with dialogue (albeit in German) has a distinct advantage; on the other hand, such items as the tiny funeral march make a strong contribution to the score as a whole, and it is good to have the complete opus.
The performance has other virtues, too. Sometimes, in the Overture for instance, mere briskness tends to be a substitute for imagination and subtlety, and occasionally, as in the ''Wedding March'', tempos tend to be on the fast side, but in general d'Avalos conducts an attractive, well-characterized account of the score. The ''Nocturne'', for example, has a charmingly affectionate, tender quality, and the ''Scherzo'' is beautifully articulated at just the right pace. All the singing is good, the Philharmonia play in an alert, expert fashion, and the performance is captured in a good quality, well-detailed recording.
In an ideal world this would be the end of the matter, but Jordan's version of six numbers from the score (plus the Schone Melusine and Hebrides Overtures) shows the difference between performances which are enjoyable and effective and those which have the greatest distinction. The opening bars of Die schone Melusine under d'Avalos have a pleasing freshness, but Jordan shapes every phrase with an imagination and artistry which lifts the music to the heavens. His disc is outstanding in every way, but if you need the completeMidsummer Night's Dream music then d'Avalos, with the bonus of the extra overture, or Masur, with the bonus of dialogue (a translation is provided) will give satisfaction and pleasure.'
The performance has other virtues, too. Sometimes, in the Overture for instance, mere briskness tends to be a substitute for imagination and subtlety, and occasionally, as in the ''Wedding March'', tempos tend to be on the fast side, but in general d'Avalos conducts an attractive, well-characterized account of the score. The ''Nocturne'', for example, has a charmingly affectionate, tender quality, and the ''Scherzo'' is beautifully articulated at just the right pace. All the singing is good, the Philharmonia play in an alert, expert fashion, and the performance is captured in a good quality, well-detailed recording.
In an ideal world this would be the end of the matter, but Jordan's version of six numbers from the score (plus the Schone Melusine and Hebrides Overtures) shows the difference between performances which are enjoyable and effective and those which have the greatest distinction. The opening bars of Die schone Melusine under d'Avalos have a pleasing freshness, but Jordan shapes every phrase with an imagination and artistry which lifts the music to the heavens. His disc is outstanding in every way, but if you need the complete
Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night's Dream
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