Customer Reviews

Panorama: Felix Mendelssohn

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This compilation has the finest interpretations of the most-known Mendelssohn masterpieces, from the Digital recording of the Violin Concerto by the marvellous Anne-Sophie Mutter and the masterful Herbert von Karajan to the sparkling, reverberating recording of the Midsummer Night's dream conducted by Rafael Kubelik. It is a must-have. And the price is nice too!

Previous reviewers have got it right, so I won't go on. This is the ideal compilation to introduce a newcomer to the filigree delicacy and unbounded melodiousness of Mendelssohn's music - or an excellent way for an old hand to tidy up the collection by giving away less stellar performance and relying on this 2 CD set to fit the bill. Furthermore, although there is no indication of any re-mastering, this Panorama label issue seems to have remedied the scrawny bass which marred earlier versions of the wondrous Kubelik "Midsummer's Night Dream" incidental music, as it now sounds fine to me, allowing for the fact that it was recorded in 1965; the ophicleide is suitably prominent. Given that it cannot quite compete for depth and warmth of sound with later classic versions by Ozawa and Nelson, it is still magical beyond reproach, Edith Mathis being especially charming in her contributions.

In addition we have a superb, fiery and lyrical Violin Concerto by the youthful Anne Sophie Mutter, with Karajan playing a suitably discreet role to let his protégée shine, a sensitive and refined performance of the Hebrides Overture, a typically civilised and responsive Octet from the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble and four little "Lieder ohne Worte" bon-bons from Barenboim. What a lovely collection.