Mendelssohn's "Scottish" is a prime example of romantic classicism: its wanderlust, its folk tone and its world of legends are romantic, while its structure is classicist. The work was inspired by a trip to Scotland in 1829. Mendelssohn found the opening A minor motif in the ruins of Holyrood Palace: "I think I have found the beginning of my Scottish Symphony today," he wrote to his parents. But the ascending triad remained unused for a long time. It was not until 1840 that Mendelssohn resumed work on this composition. The youthful work now became a symphony of maturity in the immediate vicinity of another masterpiece, the E minor Violin Concerto.

4. Aufführungsabend

Semperoper Dresden

Mendelssohn’s »Scottish« symphony is a prime example of romantic classicism, with its traditional structure fused with romantic notions of wanderlust as well as folk music and the world of myth and legend. The work was inspired by a trip to Scotland in 1829, when, during a visit to the ruins of Holyrood Palace, the opening A minor motif suddenly came to Mendelssohn. He wrote to his parents: »I believe that today I have found the beginning of my Scottish Symphony.« However, the ascending triad remained unused for a number of years. It was not until 1840 that Mendelssohn resumed work on the youthful piece, which became a mature symphony, completed alongside another late masterpiece, the Violin Concerto in E minor.

Ami Yumoto

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Jun 19, 2025

4. Aufführungsabend · Semperoper Dresden

Jun 19, 2025

Evening Recital N° 4 · Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden

Future and recently performed repertoire

Violin in Violin Concerto by Mendelssohn

Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden

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