- Performer: Roger King
- Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Conductor: Matt Dunkley
- Composer: Steve Hackett
- Audio CD (24 Mar 1997)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: EMI
- ASIN: B000002SML
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 61,063 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. The Palace Of Theseus |
| 2. A Form In Wax |
| 3. By Paved Fountain |
| 4. Titania |
| 5. Set Your Heart At Rest |
| 6. Oberon |
| 7. Within This Wood |
| 8. In the Beached Margent Of The Sea |
| 9. Between The Cold Moon And The Earth |
| 10. Puck |
| 11. Helena |
| 12. Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth & Mustardseed |
| 13. Mountains Turned Into Clouds |
| 14. The Lunatic, The Lover & The Poet |
| 15. Starlight |
| 16. Lysander And Demetrius |
| 17. Celebration |
| 18. All Is Mended |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
This suite of pieces, by the former lead guitarist of Genesis, are less incidental music for Shakespeare's play than meditations for guitar and orchestra inspired by various lines and characters from it. The emphasis is very much on the play's classical setting and dreamy qualities rather than on the more rumbustious world of Bottom and his rustic fellow actors--the musical portraits are of fairies and young lovers, and there is no sense here of the play's occasional menace. The sound world of the guitar writing is crisp, clear, attractive and unadventurous, rather more in the vein of Joaquin Rodrigo's works for guitar and orchestra than that of the pomp rock with which Hackett made his name. The orchestral accompaniments are efficient and intelligent--John Hackett provides a number of pleasant flute solos. This is an excellent performance of likeable, unambitious music. --Roz Kaveney
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Audio CD
As a long time Genesis fan, I discovered this back in 1997 - having wondered what became of Steve H after his solo career. It's a lovely acoustic album - well worth a listen.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
My favorite classical work by a "rock" musician
13 Jun 2008
Format:Audio CD
Steve Hackett's MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is a lengthy suite for guitar and orchestra. I'd call it a ballet - and it's easy to imagine it being danced. The overall sound is decidedly Romantic, with a mix of influences: a lot of mid-nineteenth century classical guitar music; twentieth-century Segovia repertoire such as Ponce, Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Villa-Lobos; impressionistic Genesis, and some Bach. Given Steve's extraordinary gift for melody, the result is magical.
I'm surprised but not shocked by Hackett's proficiency with the classical guitar. His tone is warm and pleasing - a short nail sound. He doesn't yank at the strings as might be expected. His rhythm is sure, scales quick, voices clearly articulated, tremeloes fast and even, harmonics bright and... wow, what a vibrato! Only the arpeggios are a little uneven, although most are very good.
There are 18 segments/tracks to this "ballet". Tracks 3-7, 10, and 18 are guitar solo. Tracks 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 14-17 are Steve with the orchestra. In track 17, "Celebration", all are joined by a pipe organ. Only track 13, "Mountains Turned into Clouds", is exclusively orchestra. ALL of these segments are admirable composition beautifully and sensitively performed. My own favorite segment is track 15, "Starlight", which sounds like Humperdinck (German composer Engelbert Humperdinck, the REAL one!) mixed with Bach. It's such a sweet romantic melody, I could believe Christopher Parkening would enjoy playing it. Track 3, "By Paved Fountain" is a lovely tremelo piece. "Celebration" is wonderful, too and Steve's accompaniment reminds me of that in the Giuliani 1st Guitar Concerto.
I should say I'm usually unimpressed by rock guitarists' attempts at classical guitar, but Steve Hackett is not just a rock guitarist; he's a GUITARIST... and a great musician.
I'm surprised but not shocked by Hackett's proficiency with the classical guitar. His tone is warm and pleasing - a short nail sound. He doesn't yank at the strings as might be expected. His rhythm is sure, scales quick, voices clearly articulated, tremeloes fast and even, harmonics bright and... wow, what a vibrato! Only the arpeggios are a little uneven, although most are very good.
There are 18 segments/tracks to this "ballet". Tracks 3-7, 10, and 18 are guitar solo. Tracks 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 14-17 are Steve with the orchestra. In track 17, "Celebration", all are joined by a pipe organ. Only track 13, "Mountains Turned into Clouds", is exclusively orchestra. ALL of these segments are admirable composition beautifully and sensitively performed. My own favorite segment is track 15, "Starlight", which sounds like Humperdinck (German composer Engelbert Humperdinck, the REAL one!) mixed with Bach. It's such a sweet romantic melody, I could believe Christopher Parkening would enjoy playing it. Track 3, "By Paved Fountain" is a lovely tremelo piece. "Celebration" is wonderful, too and Steve's accompaniment reminds me of that in the Giuliani 1st Guitar Concerto.
I should say I'm usually unimpressed by rock guitarists' attempts at classical guitar, but Steve Hackett is not just a rock guitarist; he's a GUITARIST... and a great musician.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Hackett's true colors
10 Jun 2010
Format:Audio CD
The extent of Steve Hackett's virtuosity on classical guitar is breathtaking, as well as his grasp of composition for the instrument. Arguably he is the most talented x-member of Genesis, it is no wonder that he was frustrated in the band. This music has the structure of a suite, with themes running through the entire work, and is the blend between the orchestra and the solo instrument is very well achieved. Steve made several other classical recordings, but this one seems to be his most glowing piece of work. A real delight!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Steve Hackett demonstrates why he is the man
18 May 1999
Format:Audio CD
One of the most phenomenal classical albums I've ever heard. I never tire of it, particularly tracks 12+, which take on a profound, contemplative tone. I recommend this to anyone who appreciates excellence in songwriting.
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