Programme Music

Question 1

Give a brief overview of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 1

• also known as Figal’s Cave
• composed by Felix Mendelssohn
• based on sonata form
• B minor
• premiered in London
• stand alone overture
• tone poem

Question 2

What inspired The Hebrides Overture

Answer 2

• Mendelssohn’s visit to the Hebrides islands
• particularly Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, Scotland, 1829 - set off from Tobermory
• He was captivated + inspired by the cave’s natural beauty, basalt columns + sound of the sea
• heaving, restless oscillating sea
• softer, calmer ocean
• wonderment + anticipation approaching Staffa
• eeriness + contemplation of Fingal’s cave
• happiness after leaving the cave

Question 3

Give context behind The Hebrides Overture

Answer 3

• written in Romantic period - focus on nature, emotion + the sublime
• program music - evokes a scene (the cave + sea)
• conveys the grandeur + mystery of the sea + the natural landscape of Scotland
• main subject written in Tobermory

Question 4

Give the structure of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 4

Sonata form (Exposition, Development, Recapitulation) - but with free flowing + monothematic elements

Introduction - undulating, flowing theme - represents movement of waves

First theme - Gentle, undulating, evoking the sea.
Second theme -More dramatic, representing the cave’s aura

Development - explores themes further -evoking the swirling power of the sea

Recapitulation - Themes return - evocative, atmospheric feel

Question 5

Give details about the musical features of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 5

• full use of the orchestra to mimic sounds of the sea; strings, woodwinds, brass create wave-like effects
• crescendos + diminuendos represent changing intensity of waves + cave’s echoes
• alternating between turbulent + calm textures - reflects changing moods of the sea + landscape
• romantic harmonic palette - rich, expressive harmonies - particularly in strings + woodwinds

Question 6

Give key themes of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 6

• nature: Reflects Romantic fascination with untamed nature + landscapes
• the grandeur + overwhelming power of the sea + Fingal’s Cave
• Mendelssohn’s personal emotional response to the cave + Hebrides islands

Question 7

Give details on Mendelssohn’s personal life

Answer 7

• age 20
• German
• high class + wealthy
• pianist, conductor, linguist, gymnast, writer, chess-player, artist
• family had an obsession with ossia
• was on a coming of age tour around Scotland
• devoted to music of Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart
• studied under Karl Zeleter
• early romantic composer
• ‘Mozart of the 19th century’
• ‘Bach reborn’