happy birthday to mendelssohn!
for him i will gladly do my first repeat-composer entry. this is the last movement of his third symphony, also known as the "scottish" symphony (because it was supposedly inspired by a trip to scotland or some such. the second movement most closely reflects this inspiration, though he doesn't directly steal any material from folk music at all).
the symphony was conceived early - 1829 - but not finished or published until 1842.
this movement is sprightly in a minor-key way. i have read a description that says it is "warlike," but i disagree a bit; it might be a bit grim and marchlike, but i hear no battle sounds. here we've got mariss jansons and the bayerischen rundfunks sinfonieorchester (three times fast please).
the snappy dotted rhythms and catchy tune are immediately accessible and i think that basically the only other thing one needs to understand about the movement to appreciate it is to hear how this super ear-wormy theme dies down after several minutes of development, a pianissimo. this transformation begins to occur around 6:50. the dotted rhythms sink and sink, and then all of a sudden we have no idea where we are anymore, and have to cling to the solo clarinet for guidance. then, suddenly, at 8:30, the uncertainty gives way to a noble hymn that mendelssohn suggested could be sung by a men's chorus. this is a sort of transformation of the tune that opens the whole symphony, and redeems the darkness that has clouded this fairly moody symphony (moody for mendelssohn, anyway).
enjoy! might have some difficulty updating on time tomorrow, we will see.
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