Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Felix Mendelssohn (Composer), Seiji Ozawa (Conductor), Boston Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Judi Dench (Performer), Kathleen Battle (Performer), Frederica von Stade (Performer), Tanglewood Festival Chorus (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Judi Dench, Kathleen Battle, Frederica von Stade, Tanglewood Festival Chorus
• Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Seiji Ozawa
• Composer: Felix Mendelssohn
• Audio CD (January 17, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GM6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,463 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #2 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Battle, Kathleen
  • #3 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Von Stade, Frederica
  • #18 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Featured Performers, A-Z > A to B

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical performance of Mendelssohn's sparkling score, November 4, 2000

By 

Yi-Peng (Singapore) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Audio CD)

If I were asked to give one word to describe this superlative performance, I would rest on the word "magical." And rightly so. Ozawa realy gives us an evocative performance of Mendelssohn's charming music, and the first few seconds of the first track are enough to cunjore up the mood of Shakespeare's brilliant play, although I am certain that the whole hour on this disc does so just as nicely. The overture presents every character and theme well, and the orchestra dazzles here, with the magical opening and closing wind chords and fairy music. This is followed by the suite of incidental music that underscores the play, where every number is given their due. The Scherzo, Intermezzo and Nocturne all manage to keep in mind the setting of the enchanted wood, and the Wedding March has a certain jubilant thrust that I have never felt before. What is more, it can set the music in the right context and make it sound fresh, new and enjoyable. Ozawa is well-partnered by Kathleen Battle and Frederica von Stade as the two faries, and they sing well in their duet and the finale, with the support of the female section of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. And Judi Dench is the unique selling point, with her excellent, expertly-done narration, bringing Shakespeare's words to life and adding to the strength of the links of the melodramas. While she speaks with an eloquent and elegant simplicity, she can vary the mood of the words, and they match the music well. I am sure her experience with Shakespeare is paying off here. To top it all off, the sound is atmospheric and beautifully bloomed and balanced, and it should be one of the best DG recordings that were made in Boston. Overall, if you are looking for a Dream that contains everything that needs to bring Shakespeare's play to life in Mendelssohn's shimmering music, then this is sure to be a true first choice.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Judi Dench..., May 23, 2000

By 

J. Buxton "cantabile" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Audio CD)

The narrator on this disc is Judi Dench and she is absolutely priceless to hear. She is a big reason why this is such a great disc, but it is also lovingly recorded, played, and sung. Von Stade is radiant and Battle's light, clear voice is also beautiful. Ozawa and the BSO help this music evoke images of Shakespeare, certainly what Mendelssohn had in mind don't you think?

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, August 11, 2001

By 

philistine (San Diego, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Audio CD)

After playing this in the pit orchestra for the San Diego City ballet, I just had to have a recording of this gorgeous ballet music. Boston and Seiji do a stupendous job bringing the magic alive on this CD, stirring up images of the mischevious Puck and graceful faeries. Judi Dench does excellent narration with clear, perfect diction. Battle's sweet and sparkling soprano is complemented by von Stade's deeper and equally beautiful mezzo, even though they are only featured during the No. 3 Song with Chorus. Fun, light-hearted music and a great addition to any classical collection.