Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night's Dream
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Felix Mendelssohn
Label: EMI
Magazine Review Date: 2/1987
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 0
Catalogue Number: 747230-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Entr'acte/Intermezzo (Hermia seeks Lysander; Entrystics: Act 3) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Heather Harper, Soprano Janet Baker, Mezzo soprano Otto Klemperer, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Nocturne (Act 3) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Heather Harper, Soprano Janet Baker, Mezzo soprano Otto Klemperer, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Wedding March (Entr'acte to Act 5) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Heather Harper, Soprano Janet Baker, Mezzo soprano Otto Klemperer, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Fanfare and Funeral March (Act 5) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Heather Harper, Soprano Janet Baker, Mezzo soprano Otto Klemperer, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Bergomask (Dance of the Rustics: Act 5) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Heather Harper, Soprano Janet Baker, Mezzo soprano Otto Klemperer, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Wedding March reprise (Act 5) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Heather Harper, Soprano Janet Baker, Mezzo soprano Otto Klemperer, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Finale: 'Through the house' (Act 5) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Heather Harper, Soprano Janet Baker, Mezzo soprano Otto Klemperer, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Overture, Op. 21 |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Heather Harper, Soprano Janet Baker, Mezzo soprano Otto Klemperer, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Scherzo (Entr'acte to Act 2) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Heather Harper, Soprano Janet Baker, Mezzo soprano Otto Klemperer, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra |
| (A) Midsummer Night's Dream, Movement: Song with chorus: 'You spotted snakes' (Act 2) |
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer
Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Heather Harper, Soprano Janet Baker, Mezzo soprano Otto Klemperer, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra |
Author: Ivan March
In September I welcomed Previn's CD of A Midsummer Night's Dream incidental music (which is absolutely complete) on EMI, rating it as the best on all counts, but did mention that this Klemperer version was on the way. It does not displace Previn, for it is not complete and with only 49 minutes of music not particularly generous. But it offers some pretty marvellous Philharmonia playing—the Scherzo, taken slower than usual but not in the least heavy, is the finest on record—and many inimitable touches. The intermezzo is a delight and the Wedding March, without losing its sense of joy, has superb grandeur in Klemperer's hands. The 1960 recording sounds as fresh as new paint, all veils now lifted, and is yet another example of Walter Legge's special skills. Detail is radiantly vivid, the balance is splendid and the sound hardly dates at all. I certainly prefer this to the Marriner collection on Philips, which has the advantage of modern digital recording. The singers, with Klemperer, both soloists and chorus, are first rate, and this is very enjoyable.
I, personally, would opt for the cassette which sounds pretty good too and costs little more than a quarter of the price of the CD. But Klemperer admirers who insist on the CD format will find this one shows his art at its most telling.'
I, personally, would opt for the cassette which sounds pretty good too and costs little more than a quarter of the price of the CD. But Klemperer admirers who insist on the CD format will find this one shows his art at its most telling.'
Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night's Dream
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