Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream/Symphony No. 4
Claudio Abbado has a reputation as a fine Mendelssohn conductor, one that he earned in  his recording of the complete symphony for DG. As so often happens, he as re-recorded the  "Italian" Symphony only a few years later for another label, and this performance is  fine, though not better than his earlier one. What may be more appealing for many listeners,  however, is the coupling of the music Mendelssohn composed for Shakespeare's playA  Midsummer Night's Dream. You've heard this before, even if you don't know it: one of the  items is the famous "wedding march." In sum, this disc brings together the composer's  most characteristic orchestral scores, so it's perfect for beginners or folks only wanting  Mendelssohn's best.--David Hurwitz