A Midsummer Night's Dream (Overture, Op. 21 Scherzo, Op.61, Nocturne, Op.61) / Symphoniy No 5 In D Minor Op.107 ("Reformation")

Released in 1963 on the Fidelity ARC label, this recording brings together two of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy's most celebrated orchestral works. The coupling of the ethereal Midsummer Night's Dream excerpts with the grand, chorale-infused Reformation Symphony reflects the mid-century label practice of pairing Mendelssohn's lighter, whimsical character pieces with his more substantial, structurally rigorous symphonic compositions to appeal to a broad classical listenership.

The recording features the Orchestre National de France under the baton of Pierre Dervaux, who is sometimes misidentified in smaller catalog databases under variations such as Brochstain. During this era, the Orchestre National de France was establishing its reputation for a precise, refined French sound, often characterized by clarity in the woodwinds and a lush, disciplined string section. This specific release was aimed at the budget-conscious audiophile market, offering a high-quality interpretation of these staples of the Romantic repertoire.