Product Description
This is an arrangement of Mendelssohns overture The
Hebrides (Fingals Cave), intended for a medium-sized woodwind group of perhaps
20 30 players. It has been categorised
as advanced, as the length and tempo of the work make it quite
challenging. However, provided the main parts
are covered by competent players, those with less experience can either double,
judiciously omitting any problem sections, or opt for the appropriate easier
add-on part.
This is great fun to attempt, even if your ensemble may not manage it up to performance standard!
The piece is scored for the following instrumentation:
Essential Parts:
Part 1:
Flute
Part 2:
Flute
Part 3: Oboe
Part 4:
Clarinet in B-flat
Part 5:
Clarinet in B-flat (contains essential divisi, so minimum of 2 players
essential)
Part 6:
Clarinet in B-flat
Part 7:
Clarinet in B-flat OR Part 7: Alto Saxophone
Part 8: Alto
Saxophone
Part 9: Alto
Saxophone
Part 10:
Bassoon OR Part 10: Bass Clarinet in B-flat (low
C instrument essential)
Optional
add-ons:
Easier
Flute/Oboe
Low Clarinet
in B-flat
Easier Alto
Saxophone
Easier Tenor
Saxophone
Mini-Bassoon
in F (an extra, NOT an easy, part)
Easier
Bassoon
Mendelssohn visited Scotland in 1829 and, after a tour of
the Highlands, travelled by steamer from Fort William to Oban and thence to the
Hebridean island of Mull. From there, he
made the short boat trip to the small island of Staffa, to visit Fingals Cave
a sea cave formed of hexagonal basalt columns, with a highly intriguing
natural acoustic.
The Hebrides overture was inspired by this segment of
Mendelssohns Scottish travels. The work
is an early example of a tone poem: a musical representation of the scenery,
wind and weather of the Scottish Hebridean islands, reflecting their sudden and
infinite changeability.
After some revisions, the overture received its first
performance in May 1832 and remains a favourite with audiences to this
day. It has been central in establishing
and sustaining the popularity of Fingals Cave as a tourist destination.
This arrangement was originally created for a woodwind
course held on another Scottish island Skye, which is the largest and most
northerly of the Inner Hebrides.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.