DVD + Blu-Ray:
Mendelssohn / Tchaikovsky

Riccardo Chailly and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra awaken the fantastical music of Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky in a riveting performance.

The pieces are both inspired by literary legend; the icy and tragic melancholy of Tchaikovsky’s performance following the inner torment of Manfred is contrasted with Mendelssohn’s luminous performance, as light and mischievous as Shakespeare’s fairies to bring together the theme of fantastical identity, brought to life by Chailly and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra and reflected in the magical surroundings of Lake Lucerne where it is performed.

In this concert, the Lucerne Festival Orchestra performs the Overture and excerpts from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony. Set to the delightful Shakespearean comedy, Mendelssohn brings to musical life the illustrious company of elves, lovers’ passions and the moonlight of night, whilst Tchaikovsky’s Symphony, likewise sharing the name of Lord Byron’s poem, chronicles the life of the tormented noble Manfred in four movements. Both works examine the protagonists’ ability to come to terms with their true identities.

Felix Mendelssohn
Overture op. 21
Excerpts from the Incidental Music to
Shakespeare‘s Midsummer Night’s Dream, op. 61

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Manfred op. 58
Symphony B Minor
in four scenes after Byron

Lucerne Festival Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly, conductor

ACC10438 (Blu-ray) : 4260234831627
ACC20438 (DVD) : 4260234831634

Production Company Accentus Music GmbH
Co-Production Company SRF, SRG, Arte G.E.I.E.
Assoc. Prod. Company Arte Concert, Lucerne Festival
Orchestra / Band Lucerne Festival Orchestra
Conductor Riccardo Chailly
Director Michael Beyer