Written after Mendelssohn visited Fingal's Cave off the coast of Scotland, this music showcases the composer's comment that it is "in pictures, ruins and natural surroundings that I find the most music." Throughout the overture, one feels the undulation of the sea, the swirling waters washing up onto the formation, and the mesmerizing enchantment of his experience. (3:15)
A great compliment to the composer's popular work A Beethoven Lullaby, this original piece pays homage to Beethoven's fifth symphony, immersing students in the style of the first movement without feeling like they are playing a watered-down arrangement. Conductors will surely notice the many nods (both subtle and not so subtle) to Beethoven's masterpiece while also exploring original themes. (Grade 1.5 - 2, Dur 2:30)
This cleverly titled work includes three famous themes from The Planets. The swooping and fluttering sounds of Mercury, the Winged Messenger give way to the mystical tone clusters and serenity of Venus, the Bringer of Peace. The arrangement closes with the iconic militant ostinato and extreme dissonance of Mars, the Bringer of War. An exceptional arrangement. (4:30)
