A Midsummer Night's Dream: Incidental Music, Op. 61; No. 1: Scherzo Cover Image

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Incidental Music, Op. 61; No. 1: Scherzo: Conductor Score

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A Midsummer Night's Dream: Incidental Music, Op. 61; No. 1: Scherzo Cover Image
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Incidental Music, Op. 61; No. 1: Scherzo: Conductor Score

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Incidental Music, Op. 61; No. 1: Scherzo: Conductor Score

By Felix Mendelssohn

Item: 36-A171001
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A Midsummer Night's Dream: Incidental Music, Op. 61; No. 1: Scherzo: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works Conductor Score & Parts

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Description
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) wrote music for William Shakespeare's play A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM on two separate occasions. He first wrote the concert overture in E Major, Op. 21 in 1826 at the age of seventeen for no other reason than the love that he and his siblings had for Shakespeare’s stage works. He wrote the incidental music, Op. 61 (likely the best-known incidental music in the repertoire) in 1842 as a commission from King Frederick William IV of Prussia. In creating the complete later version, the composer incorporated the original overture, Op. 21 as the overture for the incidental music and the first of the 14 numbers. Starting with what must be four of the most evocative and memorable chords in music, the work also is the origin of the Wedding March (No. 9) used in so many ceremonies today, commonly referred to as "Here Comes the Bride." The work was premiered in Potsdam, Germany on October 14, 1843 by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, conducted by the composer. The "Scherzo" movement, No. 1 after the overture is here excerpted for those looking for a lighter and shorter piece to work into a program. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.2.0.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).

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Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-63-887887-0
ISBN13: 978-1-63-887887-2
UPC: 660355114076
SKU: 36-A171001
Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.2.0.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was a German composer whose gifts for melody, orchestration, and dramatic storytelling made him one of the most performed composers of the Romantic era. His affinity for Shakespeare's works emerged early; as a teenager, he was so captivated by A Midsummer Night's Dream that he composed the overture at seventeen simply out of personal passion. Mendelssohn went on to become a towering figure in music education and performance, serving as conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and founding the Leipzig Conservatory, where his influence shaped generations of musicians.

Why we love this

The Scherzo distills everything magical about Mendelssohn's theatrical genius into a piece that actually fits on a concert program without consuming an entire evening. Its playful orchestration, crystalline textures, and elfin character give conductors access to one of Romantic music's most beloved soundworlds at a manageable length, making it ideal for mixed-level ensembles seeking repertoire with both substance and charm.

What to expect

Mischievous sprites dancing through a moonlit forest. The music skitters and shimmers with gossamer textures, quick rhythmic figures, and a lightness of touch that suggests magic rather than describing it directly. Even in its quietest moments, the piece radiates playfulness and joy.

Who it's for

This excerpt suits conductors working with developing chamber orchestras and intermediate community ensembles who want meaningful Romantic repertoire without the demands of full-scale theatrical works. Musicians drawn to Mendelssohn's lyrical gift and clean orchestration will find the Scherzo rewarding to learn and engaging to perform.

How to get the most out of it

  • Bring out the delicate staccato figures in the woodwinds; they define the piece's scampering, mischievous character and need clarity without heaviness.
  • Balance the string section carefully so violins remain transparent rather than drowning the orchestration. Mendelssohn's textures reward a light touch from the bows.
  • Shape phrases through subtle dynamic shaping rather than sudden contrasts. The humor emerges from refinement, not exaggeration.
  • Mark entrances clearly for the brass; their few but crucial moments need to land with precision without disrupting the overall delicacy.

How to use it

Program the Scherzo as a refreshing contrast to heavier Romantic works, or pair it with other Mendelssohn selections to showcase his range. Its concise duration and engaging character make it particularly effective as an opener or as a spring-like interlude in a concert exploring nineteenth-century orchestral literature.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and executing rapid staccato articulations in ensemble settings
  • Balancing light orchestral textures without sacrificing projection
  • Coordinating multiple independent melodic lines across the ensemble
  • Shaping musical phrases through dynamic nuance rather than dramatic contrast
  • Responding to a conductor's subtle gestural cues in a piece dependent on refinement

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