Composers Datebook®

Mendelssohn in Scotland

Composers Datebook - July 30, 2024
DOWNLOAD

Synopsis

In the summer of 1829, German composer Felix Mendelssohn was touring Scotland in the company of a friend from Berlin who held a post in London. He saw all the sights: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Inverness, Loch Lomond, and the Hebrides Islands. He was not impressed by the food or friendliness of the somewhat surly natives, but he loved the Scottish scenery.

Mendelssohn made a point of paying a courtesy call on the famous novelist Sir Walter Scott, whose Romantic historical tales of love and tragedy were wildly popular throughout Europe in Mendelssohn’s day. And very likely, it was through the Romantic filter of Scott’s novels that Mendelssohn viewed the Scottish landscape.

On today’s date, they visited the ruined castle of Mary Queen of Scots, and Mendelssohn wrote back to his family back in Germany: “In darkening twilight today, we went to the Palace of Holyrood where Queen Mary lived and loved. The chapel has lost its roof and is overgrown with grass and ivy, and at that broken altar Mary was crowned Queen of Scotland. Everything there is ruined, decayed and open to the clear sky. I believe that I have found there today the beginning of my Scottish Symphony.”

Music Played in Today's Program

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Symphony No. 3 (Scottish); London Symphony; Peter Maag, conductor; London 466 990

On This Day

Deaths

  • 1968 - Icelandic composer Jon Leifs, 68, in Reykjavik

Premieres

  • 1965 - Duke Ellington: The Golden Broom and the Green Apple, by the New York Philharmonic, with the composer conducting, on the same concert as the belated premiere of Charles Ives' From the Steeples and the Mountains, with Lukas Foss conducting

  • 1983 - Michael Torke: Ceremony of Innocence, for chamber quintet, at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Massachusetts, by fellows of the Tanglewood Center, Gunther Schuller conducting

Others

  • 1829 - On a visit to Edinburgh, Mendelssohn visits Holyrood Palace and writes down the first measures of his Scottish Symphony

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

YourClassical

Handel declines, Schuman accepts

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759): ‘Sinfonia’ from ‘Athalia Academy of Ancient Music’; Christopher Hogwood, conductor; L’Oiseau-Lyre 417 126 William Schuman (1910-1992): ‘Chester (Variations for Piano)’; Alexei Sultanov, piano; Teldec 46103

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

Respighi's 'The Pines of Rome'

Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936): ‘Feste Romane’; Montréal Symphony; Charles Dutoit, conductor; London 410 145 Spike Jones (1911-1965): ‘Rhapsody’ from ‘Hunger’; Spike Jones and his City Slickers; RCA 3235

2:00
YourClassical

'The Composer is Dead!'

Lemony Snicket and Nathaniel Stookey: ‘The Composer is Dead’; Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler), narrator; San Francisco Symphony; Edwin Outwater, conductor; Book Audio CD

2:00
YourClassical

'The Ballad of Baby Doe'

Douglas Moore (1893-1969): ‘The Ballad of Baby Doe’; Jan Grissom, soprano; Central City Opera Orchestra; John Moriarty, conductor; Newport Classics 85593

2:00
YourClassical

Noteworthy Boulanger and Zwilich

Lili Boulanger (1893-1918): ‘Hymne au Soleil’; New London Chamber Choir; James Wood, conductor; Hyperion 66726 Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (b. 1939): Symphony No. 3; Louisville Orchestra; James Sedares, conductor; Koch International 7278

2:00
YourClassical

The theme to 'Seinfeld'

Jonathan Wolff (b. 1958): ‘Theme,’ from ‘Seinfeld’; Water Tower Music digital download

2:00
YourClassical
2:00
YourClassical

Plucky music with Landowska and Harbach

J.S. Bach (1685-1750): ‘Little Prelude’; Wanda Landowska, harpsichord; Pearl 9489 Barbara Harbach (b. 1946): ‘Cante Flamenco,’ from ‘Tres Danzas para Clavecin’; Barbara Harbach, harpsichord; Gasparo 290

2:00
YourClassical

Bach's 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring'

J.S. Bach (1627-1750): ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’; Celia Nicklin, oboe; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; Warner 975562

2:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Composers Datebook®

Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.

He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.

About Composers Datebook®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00