Pastures Green (and Grey)
Kate Molleson follows Mendelssohn through Scottish Highlands and Welsh rainstorms.
This week, Kate Molleson follows Felix Mendelssohn's journeys across the British Isles. Today, a summer tour takes the young composer north to Scotland, where dramatic landscapes, Highland culture and the Hebrides leave an indelible (though not always positive) mark on his imagination. Along the way, he finds inspiration for some of his best-loved music, including the Scottish Symphony and Hebrides Overture. But not every destination proves equally enchanting, as a rain-soaked stay in Wales leaves Mendelssohn with rather different impressions.
Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56, Scottish: II. Vivace non troppo
Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
Lahav Shani, conductor
Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56, Scottish: IV. Allegro vivacissimo – Allegro maestoso assai
Berliner Philharmoniker
Herbert von Karajan, conductor
Hebrides Overture, Op. 26
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Jaime Laredo, conductor
Fantasia in F sharp minor, Op. 28 (Scottish Sonata)
Zecharia Plavin, piano
Three Fantasies (or Caprices), Op. 16
Valerie Tryon, piano
Produced by Ellie Ajao for Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Audio Wales and West.
On radio
Broadcast
- Wed 19 Aug 2026 16:00Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Radio 3
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