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Steve Hackett's MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is a lengthy suite for guitar and orchestra. I'd call it a ballet - and it's easy to imagine it being danced. The overall sound is decidedly Romantic, with a mix of influences: a lot of mid-nineteenth century classical guitar music; twentieth-century Segovia repertoire such as Ponce, Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Villa-Lobos; impressionistic Genesis, and some Bach. Given Steve's extraordinary gift for melody, the result is magical.
I'm surprised but not shocked by Hackett's proficiency with the classical guitar. His tone is warm and pleasing - a short nail sound. He doesn't yank at the strings as might be expected. His rhythm is sure, scales quick, voices clearly articulated, tremeloes fast and even, harmonics bright and... wow, what a vibrato! Only the arpeggios are a little uneven, although most are very good.
There are 18 segments/tracks to this "ballet". Tracks 3-7, 10, and 18 are guitar solo. Tracks 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 14-17 are Steve with the orchestra. In track 17, "Celebration", all are joined by a pipe organ. Only track 13, "Mountains Turned into Clouds", is exclusively orchestra. ALL of these segments are admirable composition beautifully and sensitively performed. My own favorite segment is track 15, "Starlight", which sounds like Humperdinck (German composer Engelbert Humperdinck, the REAL one!) mixed with Bach. It's such a sweet romantic melody, I could believe Christopher Parkening would enjoy playing it. Track 3, "By Paved Fountain" is a lovely tremelo piece. "Celebration" is wonderful, too and Steve's accompaniment reminds me of that in the Giuliani 1st Guitar Concerto.
I should say I'm usually unimpressed by rock guitarists' attempts at classical guitar, but Steve Hackett is not just a rock guitarist; he's a GUITARIST... and a great musician.
The extent of Steve Hackett's virtuosity on classical guitar is breathtaking, as well as his grasp of composition for the instrument. Arguably he is the most talented x-member of Genesis, it is no wonder that he was frustrated in the band. This music has the structure of a suite, with themes running through the entire work, and is the blend between the orchestra and the solo instrument is very well achieved. Steve made several other classical recordings, but this one seems to be his most glowing piece of work. A real delight!
As a teenager in the UK in the 70s I was a rabid Genesis fan. Now I have grown into more classical tastes and I was not expecting this to live up to either genre. But I am surprised and delighted by this beautiful music. Steve's guitar playing is gorgeous and reminds me of Segovia playing the classics but somehow with more feeling if that's possible. The music exudes a dreamy magic and some of the themes, especially the orchestral ones representing nature (sea, mountains and clouds), are sublime, reminding me of my favourite parts of Vaughan Williams symphonies. Listening to this wonderful music is as easy as Shakespeare gets and grows better the more you play it.
Just when you think Steve Hackett can't surprise you any more he produces this inspired work of genius. You certainly don't need to be a fan of the Bard to enjoy this but the playing is as wonderful as ever.Non Hackett fans who like classical guitar will also find much to enjoy here. Simply superb
It took several listens, but I think this is a masterpiece. It feels like a journey, is full of beautiful melodies which catch after while and it all hangs together as a 'work'. Fantastic,Steve, well done.
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