An evocative journey through time, landscape, & music in this brilliant lecture-recital, with multi-talented speaker, Peter Medhurst.

Attendees: TASH Members & their Guests Only.  Arrive early to enjoy drinks, lunch and great company.

Timings: Morning Lecture & Online @ 10:45 / Afternoon Lecture @ 14:15.

A Youthful Adventure That Changed Classical Music

In the summer of 1829, a 20-year-old Felix Mendelssohn was eager to explore the dramatic, romantic landscapes of Scotland. Writing to his close friend, the diplomat and poet Karl Klingemann, Mendelssohn declared his intention to travel with "a rake for folksongs, an ear for the lovely, fragrant countryside, and a heart for the bare legs of the natives."  Klingemann readily joined him. Together, the two young men embarked on a transformative two-week journey. Starting in Edinburgh, they travelled west through the rugged terrain of the Scottish Highlands, eventually venturing to the isolated islands of the Inner Hebrides. This brief holiday left an indelible mark on the young composer, forging a lifelong bond with Great Britain and directly inspiring two of the greatest masterpieces of the Romantic era: The Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave) and his Symphony No. 3 (The Scottish).

Capturing the Romantic Spirit

Mendelssohn was deeply moved by the atmospheric ruins of Holyrood Palace, the vast mountain passes, and - most famously - the awe-inspiring basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave on the island of Staffa. The crashing Atlantic waves and the echoing geometry of the sea cave immediately sparked a musical theme that became the backbone of The Hebrides Overture.  This lecture traces their exact travel route, exploring how the sights, sounds, and literary romanticism of the Scottish landscape were translated directly into orchestral genius.

About our Speaker

For those who have attended his lectures, Peter Medhurst needs no introduction. Renowned across the wider Arts Society network as an exceptionally gifted musicologist, singer, and keyboardist, Peter is celebrated for his unique ability to bring history alive. Rather than delivering a dry talk, he seamlessly weaves live musical demonstrations on the piano and vocal illustrations alongside historical narrative.  Reports from sister societies regularly praise his "fabulous, lucid dialogue" and describe his events as "engaging, versatile, and worth every penny." Whether you are a devotee of Romantic classical music or simply love a good historical travelogue, Peter's signature blend of scholarship and performance promises an exceptional morning.