We explore the inspirations behind what is regarded to be one composer's finest orchestral work.
How “Scottish” is the Scottish symphony?
Mendelssohn was born into a highly educated family of wealth and position, and enjoyed the perks that came with that environment. At the age of 11, he had already began composing for piano and for orchestra. He has also been credited with introducing Beethoven’s works to the poet, Goethe, by playing him his own transcriptions of Beethoven’s symphonies.
Mendelssohn wrote five symphonies in total, and the “Scottish”, although listed at No.3, is the last to have been completed, taking 13 years to write. The initial idea for the music came during a visit to the ruined Holyrood Chapel in Edinburg:
“In the evening twilight we went today to the palace where Queen Mary lived and loved; a little room is shown there with a winding staircase leading up to the door... The chapel close to it is now roofless, grass and ivy grow there, and at that broken altar Mary was crowned Queen of Scotland. Everything round is broken and mouldering and the bright sky shines in. I believe I today found in that old chapel the beginning of my ‘Scottish’ Symphony.”
Other than the inspiration, nothing in the symphony seems to suggests anything distinctively Scottish. In fact, Robert Schumann, writing a review about it after receiving a copy of the score, wrote that it had “beautiful Italian pictures, so beautiful as to compensate a hearer who had never been to Italy.” It does not quote Scottish tunes – Mendelssohn loathed folk music, calling it “the most infamous, vulgar, out-of-tune trash, with a hurdygurdy going on at the same time”.
The Scottish is regarded to be Mendelssohn’s finest orchestral work, but a good explanation of that nickname has proven elusive. Mendelssohn biographer Larry Todd imagines that the “regal dotted rhythms” of the 3rd movement “plausibly allude to the tragic figure of Queen Mary.”, while “the breathless, energetic finale, with its jagged dissonances and contrapuntal strife, generalizes the topic of conflict in Scottish history.” It could be that the work was inspired by that specific impression which evolved into an entire symphony.
A little bit about Kirchner:
A German composer and pianist, Kirchner became an organist in Zurich at Mendelssohn’s recommendation. In the following years, he befriended many composers including Robert and Clara Schumann, and Brahms. His works were also esteemed by Liszt, Wagner, and Grieg, all leading composers of the 19th century. As a composer, Kirchner is credited with having written over 1000 piano pieces, as well as some works for organ and chamber. His talent (and what he is more recognized for) is in arrangements – and we will be playing his transcription at Touch 2015. See you there!
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Intrigued by this talented composer? Have a listen to his Wedding March from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" played by our friends over at the NUS Symphony Orchestra. Their concert - Homecoming - is happening this weekend so do check that out!
Touch 2015 is also happening this Sunday so get your tickets now! We'll be playing the 3rd movement (Adagio) of the "Scottish" Symphony No. 3, Op. 56. Tell us in the comments below - how Scottish is this symphony?