Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, arr. M. Randall McDonald
Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture, arr. M. Randall McDonald
Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture — Arranged for Concert Band by M. Randall McDonald
Felix Mendelssohn composed his Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21, in 1826 at the astonishing age of seventeen — and it remains one of the most magical and perfectly realized pieces of program music ever written. From its ethereal opening chords to its fairy dances, lovers' themes, and the famous braying of Bottom the weaver, the overture captures Shakespeare's enchanted forest with extraordinary imagination and musical craft. That a teenager could produce a work of such orchestral mastery and poetic imagination is itself one of the wonders of music history.
This arrangement by M. Randall McDonald — a specialist in bringing overlooked and underperformed orchestral works into the concert band repertoire — preserves all the magic, wit, and orchestral color of Mendelssohn's original. A guaranteed delight for audiences of all ages.
Performance Highlights
- Mendelssohn's magical Midsummer Night's Dream Overture arranged for concert band by M. Randall McDonald
- One of the most imaginative and perfectly crafted overtures ever written — composed at age 17
- Captures Shakespeare's enchanted forest with extraordinary musical invention
- Ideal for concert programs, educational performances, and pops concerts
- Digital PDF download — print-ready score and parts included
About the Arranger
M. Randall McDonald, EdD, studied music theory with Dr. Paul Reale at UCLA and arranging with John Prince and Marvin Branson at Cal State Long Beach. He has worked in public education for twenty-five years as a band and choir director, science teacher, and math teacher, and has lived in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Germany. He currently resides in Midland, Texas, where he leads the Midland Community Band. As an arranger, Dr. McDonald specializes in bringing overlooked orchestral compositions into the concert band repertoire. He is married to the soprano and author Mary Lou Brice.