Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 'Scottish'

Summary

This entry on Mendelssohn's "Scottish" Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56, asserts that arrangements of musical works should preserve the composer's original ideas and character, rather than altering the form and substance of passages. The author critiques arrangements that change instrumentation in ways that distort the composer's intent, citing an example of Mendelssohn's "usual reverence and modesty" being disregarded in an arrangement that changed a passage's character. The core principle is that while the "dress" of musical ideas may be altered, the ideas themselves should remain unmodified.

This perspective emphasizes the integrity of the composer's creative vision. The text differentiates between acceptable changes in instrumentation and unacceptable alterations that fundamentally change the musical passage. A reader learns that the "Scottish" Symphony is subject to these critical considerations regarding its performance and arrangement, and that an arranger's responsibility lies in respecting the composer's original artistic choices.

Key concepts

• Mendelssohn's "Scottish" Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 — A specific musical work by Felix Mendelssohn, analyzed for its treatment in arrangements.
• Arrangement — The practice of adapting a musical composition for a different performance medium or context.
• Alteration of form and character — A critical concern in musical arrangement, where changes go beyond instrumentation to modify the fundamental nature of a passage.
• Composer's ideas — The underlying musical thoughts and intentions of the creator that should ideally be preserved.

From the book

This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works . Public domain Public domain false false

← Volume 1 A Dictionary of Music and Musicians edited by George Grove A to Air Airy to Andreoni → 1500747 A Dictionary of Music and Musicians — A to Air George Grove← Burden to Carafa A Dictionary of Music and Musicians edited by George Grove Cardarelli to Chapeau Chinois Chapelle to Claudine von Villabella → 1500897 A Dictionary of Music and Musicians — Cardarelli to Chapeau Chinois George Grove

← Cardarelli to Chapeau Chinois A Dictionary of Music and Musicians edited by George Grove Chapelle to Claudine von Villabella Clauss to Conforti → 1500899 A Dictionary of Music and Musicians — Chapelle to Claudine von Villabella George Grove

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