Felix Mendelssohn - Green Edition - Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Incidental Music: Wedding March (LP)

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Felix Mendelssohn with this captivating album, released on August 31, 2015, by Andante Media HÖRARCHIV. This collection showcases Mendelssohn's extraordinary versatility and genius, spanning chamber music, classical, and choral genres, all within a concise 62-minute duration.

The album opens with Mendelssohn's iconic "A Midsummer Night's Dream, Incidental Music, Op. 61," featuring the beloved "Wedding March." This is followed by the vibrant and lively "Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90, MWV N16 'Italian'," a four-movement masterpiece that transports you to the sunny landscapes of Italy. The symphony's energetic rhythms and melodic charm are a testament to Mendelssohn's compositional prowess.

The album also includes the delicate and introspective "Songs Without Words, Book 5, Op. 62: No. 5 in A Minor, MWV U151," known as the "Venetian Gondola Song." This piece, with its gentle, undulating melody, evokes the serene beauty of Venice's waterways. The playful and virtuosic "Rondo capriccioso, Op. 14, MWV U67" showcases Mendelssohn's ability to blend technical brilliance with lyrical elegance.

The album concludes with the powerful and dramatic "Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25, MWV O7." This three-movement work is a tour de force for the piano, featuring dazzling passagework and profound emotional depth. The concerto's final movement, with its exhilarating tempo and intricate counterpoint, is a fitting finale to this remarkable collection.

Whether you're a longtime admirer of Mendelssohn or a newcomer to his music, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. The performances are impeccable, capturing the essence of Mendelssohn's unique style and the breadth of his musical output.