Mendelssohn – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

At two separate times, Felix Mendelssohn composed music for William Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. First in 1826, near the start of his career, he wrote a concert overture (Op. 21). Later, in 1842, only a few years before his death, he wrote incidental music (Op. 61) for a production of the play, into which he incorporated the existing Overture. The incidental music includes the world-famous Wedding March. The German title reads Ein Sommernachtstraum.

Work:

• Mendelssohn Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Composed:

• 1842

First Performance:

• October 14th 1843, At New Palace, Potsdam. Performed by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra as incidental music to the play by Shakespeare.

Movements:

(Orchestra Movements)

• Overture
• Scherzo
• Intermezzo
• Nocturne
• Wedding March.

Audio excerpt from:

• Label: Naxos Classical Archives
  Artists: Beinum, Eduard van; Concertgebouw Orchestra

Video lesson by:

• Karen Jones