The Hebrides Overture

Question 1

When was The Hebrides Overture composed + published?

Answer 1

Composed 1832
Published 1835

Question 2

What genre is The Hebrides Overture?

Answer 2

Concert Overture

Question 3

What is The Hebrides Overture about?

Answer 3

• Inspired by felix mendelssohn’s trip to Fingal’s cave on Staffa
• Was on a european tour
• Atmospheric painitng of the location

Question 4

Key details about the main motif of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 4

• 1 bar rolling wave motiff
• Begins on Viola,Cello,Bassoon
• Falling 3rd then falling 4th
• Rises in 3rds (traditional scottish music)
• Inverted + stretched after introduction

Question 5

Key details about the 2nd theme of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 5

• Clarinets + bassoons
• Serene + lyrical

Question 6

Structure of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 6

Loose sonata form
- Exposition introduces themes
- Development expands + transforms increasing tension
- Recapitulation returns to themes with variations
- Coda slows down fading into distance

Question 7

Main keys of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 7

Bmin for storm/dark atmosphere (1st theme)
Dmaj for serene + calmer waters (2nd theme)

Question 8

Modulations of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 8

Unexpected keys e.g. F#min, Gmaj to build tension
Mediant relationship moving keys in exposition
New key sig used in development as so far away from home key

Question 9

Harmonic devices used in The Hebrides Overture

Answer 9

• Ends with 3 unison tonic pitches in timpani + pizz strings
• Dim7th chord in exposition + development to build tension

Question 10

Orchestration in The Hebrides Overture

Answer 10

Classical sized orchestra + extended brass + woodwinds
Independant bass + cello
Continous semiquavers in strings mimic shimmering sea
Horn fanfare in codetta
Tremelo used to represent waves
Woodwind independant of strings - plays melodies over shimmeing strings
Motiff pased arround orchestra

Question 11

Texture of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 11

Begins with homophony
Orchestration becomes thicker + polyphonic as develpoment becoems stormier
Development has overlapping fragments of main theme overlapping
Thin texture ending fading out with ritarnado

Question 12

Key rhythmic elements of The Hebrides Overture

Answer 12

Syncopated first theme
Dotted woodwind + brass rhythm related to opening morif in development
Staccato motif in development
Imitation between winds + strings

Question 13

Comparisons to The Hebrides Overture

Answer 13

Similar to Vltava + calm sea + prosperous voyage (both about water)