Search - Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Neville Marriner, Ambrosian Singers :: Mendelssohn ¿ A Midsummer Night's Dream ¿ Marriner

A nice reminder of Marriner's heyday

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 01/13/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For a conductor not classified among the greats, Neville Marrienr has an astonishing discography runningo to nearly 400 recordings (crotchet.co.uk currently lists 292 still in print). The secret was timing: Marriner pioneered the concept of reduced forces playing the classics in a style close to period practice but not so antiquated that regular audiences were alienated. He had a light touch and excellent musicians in his Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. So how well has this outpouring held up?



The original virtues are still in evidence. This reading of the familiar music from Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream is light in texture and warmly conceived. Inner detail is especially engaging. The smaller forces make a refreshing change from big-band Mendelssohn. Arleen Auger and the young Ann Murray sing very well, but if you compare this CD to Previn's famous account on EMI, Marriner sounds a bit flat-footed. Having said that, his version belongs among the most enjoyable, aided by excellent, clear, close-up recorded sound from Philips. It would be nice to hear an extra spark of inspiration, but at a bargain price from Amazon Marketplace, one cana't remotely complain."

A True Gem

G. J Wiener | Westchester, NY USA | 02/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This music is sheer beauty. Very tuneful with many intricate embelleshments between the strings and brass. Tones both loud and soft are so pleasing to the ear. And the role of the singers fits the scene perfectly. In other words plenty of balance.I am a little biased but I always loved the Wedding March. And the Philharmonia Orchestra certainly performs it so well. The Nocturne that precedes it also holds a tender moment in my heart and soul. There is so much to digest of this fine Mendelssohn work that I am sure that it will be a treasure for my ears for many years to come. You will not go wrong."

All the subtlety and elegance of the Mendelssohn/Shakespeare

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 02/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though recorded in 1990 this sonically very superb recording of Mendelssohn' s complete incidental music to Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Ein Sommernachtstraum) remains the gold standard. Sir Neville Marriner (now 82 years young and still conducting with the suave facility that has marked his career as evidenced by a recent appearance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducting Rossini, Chopin, and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3) has just the right take on this eloquent score, underling the elegance and respecting the long melodic lines.



Marriner is at the helm of the Philharmonia Orchestra and Ambrosian Singers here and elects to record the entire score Mendelssohn wrote for performances of the play. He draws well sculpted lines, shimmering atmosphere, fine first desk playing and has chosen two superb singers for the solo portions - Ann Murray and the much missed Arleen Auger. It is an album to cherish on every level. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 07



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