Midsummer Night’s Dream
Yesterday, Sunday, May 19, 2013, I had another nice opportunity to listen to a live concert by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, (BPO). This concert was under the direction of their former conductor, Claudio Abbado, who returns to lead a concert each year.
I only heard the great Mendelssohn masterpiece, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. And what a wonderful performance that was. Not only did I not have to travel to Berlin, I could just sit in my office and watch the live concert at my computer. All that via the BPO’s system called the Digital Concert Hall.
The BPO wind players begin this music very softly, and then the strings come in, equally softly. (See photo on the left)
Mendelssohn was a musical genius, and he composed this work at age 17.
The second movement titled “Scherzo” is light and playful, and it features an enjoyable interplay between winds and strings. Emanuel Pahud, first Flute, had several opportunities to show us what a marvelous player he is.
The best compliment I can give this orchestra, is that I actually fell asleep while watching the orchestra, while sitting in front of my computer. I got a great rest, yet my mind surely heard all the music.
Here is the Mendelssohn “Scherzo” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream Op.21 conducted by Gergiev:
And next, here is the Overture to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Felix Mendelssohn, Op. 21, with the London Symphony Orchestra – Claudio Abbado conducting:
Tags: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mendelssohn, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic