FOOTNOTES:[106]There is no general agreement as to the title of this overture. Mendelssohn himself referred to it as "The Hebrides," again as "The Solitary Island." The first published score was entitled "Fingal's Cave" (Die Fingals-Höhle), yet the parts for the players bore the title "The Hebrides" (Die Hebriden). It was called "The Isles of Fingal" when it was first performed in London (May 14, 1832).[107]As it has been pointed out by others, the usual translation of this title, "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage," does violence to the significance of the German original. "Becalmed at Sea," or "Sea-Calm," conveys more faithfully the meaning of the first part of the title, and suggests the sharp and dramatic contrast intended by Goethe in his two poems.[108]Some have said—erroneously, as it seems—that Mendelssohn's overture was suggested by the version of the legend made by Ludwig Tieck.[109]Translated by Mr. John S. Dwight.[110]Mendelssohn was a better musician than historian.[111]"Trio": in a Minuet or Scherzo movement, a contrasting middle section of more tranquil character.[112]"Saltarello": an Italian dance of marked rhythmical character. It has been described as "a duet dance of a skipping nature." "The woman always holds her apron, and performs graceful evolutions in the style of the Tarantella. The couple move in a semicircle, and the dance becomes faster and faster as it progresses, accompanied by many beautiful motions of the arms. This is a very ancient dance, and has quite a unique character: we find that it is especially performed by gardeners and vintners."[113]"Ritardando": a gradual slowing of the tempo.[114]FromDie Grenzen der Poesie und Musik, translated by J. H. Cornell.
FOOTNOTES:
[106]There is no general agreement as to the title of this overture. Mendelssohn himself referred to it as "The Hebrides," again as "The Solitary Island." The first published score was entitled "Fingal's Cave" (Die Fingals-Höhle), yet the parts for the players bore the title "The Hebrides" (Die Hebriden). It was called "The Isles of Fingal" when it was first performed in London (May 14, 1832).
[106]There is no general agreement as to the title of this overture. Mendelssohn himself referred to it as "The Hebrides," again as "The Solitary Island." The first published score was entitled "Fingal's Cave" (Die Fingals-Höhle), yet the parts for the players bore the title "The Hebrides" (Die Hebriden). It was called "The Isles of Fingal" when it was first performed in London (May 14, 1832).
[107]As it has been pointed out by others, the usual translation of this title, "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage," does violence to the significance of the German original. "Becalmed at Sea," or "Sea-Calm," conveys more faithfully the meaning of the first part of the title, and suggests the sharp and dramatic contrast intended by Goethe in his two poems.
[107]As it has been pointed out by others, the usual translation of this title, "Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage," does violence to the significance of the German original. "Becalmed at Sea," or "Sea-Calm," conveys more faithfully the meaning of the first part of the title, and suggests the sharp and dramatic contrast intended by Goethe in his two poems.
[108]Some have said—erroneously, as it seems—that Mendelssohn's overture was suggested by the version of the legend made by Ludwig Tieck.
[108]Some have said—erroneously, as it seems—that Mendelssohn's overture was suggested by the version of the legend made by Ludwig Tieck.
[109]Translated by Mr. John S. Dwight.
[109]Translated by Mr. John S. Dwight.
[110]Mendelssohn was a better musician than historian.
[110]Mendelssohn was a better musician than historian.
[111]"Trio": in a Minuet or Scherzo movement, a contrasting middle section of more tranquil character.
[111]"Trio": in a Minuet or Scherzo movement, a contrasting middle section of more tranquil character.
[112]"Saltarello": an Italian dance of marked rhythmical character. It has been described as "a duet dance of a skipping nature." "The woman always holds her apron, and performs graceful evolutions in the style of the Tarantella. The couple move in a semicircle, and the dance becomes faster and faster as it progresses, accompanied by many beautiful motions of the arms. This is a very ancient dance, and has quite a unique character: we find that it is especially performed by gardeners and vintners."
[112]"Saltarello": an Italian dance of marked rhythmical character. It has been described as "a duet dance of a skipping nature." "The woman always holds her apron, and performs graceful evolutions in the style of the Tarantella. The couple move in a semicircle, and the dance becomes faster and faster as it progresses, accompanied by many beautiful motions of the arms. This is a very ancient dance, and has quite a unique character: we find that it is especially performed by gardeners and vintners."
[113]"Ritardando": a gradual slowing of the tempo.
[113]"Ritardando": a gradual slowing of the tempo.
[114]FromDie Grenzen der Poesie und Musik, translated by J. H. Cornell.
[114]FromDie Grenzen der Poesie und Musik, translated by J. H. Cornell.