Evening Recital N° 4

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.