Mendelssohn's Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night's Dream was written in 1842, on a commission from King Frederick William IV of Prussia. The king was inspired by a presentation of Sophocles's Antigone which featured music by Mendelssohn, and was the first of several commissions for the composer to write music to accompany the king's favorite plays. It is interesting to note that the work's dazzling overture was actually written a full sixteen years earlier, and was not originally intended to be performed in conjunction with Shakespeare's play. This recording from Ivan Fischer and his Budapest Festival Orchestra captures the magical spirit of this music as never before. The program is complemented appropriately by three orchestral songs of Fanny Mendelssohn.

Tracklist:

"A Midsummer Night's Dream", Overture, Op. 21
Incidental Music To "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op. 61: I. Scherzo - Allegro Vivace
Incidental Music To "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op. 61: II Allegro Vivace
Incidental Music To "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op. 61: III. Lied Mit Chor
Incidental Music To "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op. 61: IV. Intermezzo - V. Allegro Apassionato
Incidental Music To "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op. 61: VII. Nocturne. Con Moto Tranquillo - VIII. Andante
Incidental Music To "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op. 61: IX. Hochzeitmarsch "Wedding March" - Allegro Vi
Incidental Music To "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op. 61: X. Funeral March - Andante Comodo
Incidental Music To "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op. 61: XII. Dance Of The Clowns - Allegro Di Molto
Incidental Music To "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Op. 61: Finale - Allegro Di Molto
6 Lieder, Op. 9: VI. Die Mainacht
6 Lieder, Op. 9: II. Ferne
6 Songs, Op. 1: VI. Gondel Song "O Come To Me"

UPC: 723385374183
Label: Channel Classics
Release Date: 6.22.18
Format: CD

Ivan Fischer - Mendelssohn: Overture & Incidental Music To A (CD)