The Hebrides (overture) retains this position to the present day. Mendelssohn's first visit to England in 1829 resulted from invitations by Sir George Smart and the Philharmonic Society. Following his tour of England, Mendelssohn proceeded to Scotland, where he began work on his Symphony No. 3, "Scottish". He was engaged on a tour of Scotland with his travelling companion Karl Klingemann when he sent a postcard to his family with the opening phrase of the overture written on it. In a note to his sister Fanny, he said: "In order to make you understand how extraordinarily the Hebrides affected me, I send you
Overture to an Italian Comedy Overture to an Italian Comedy The Overture to an Italian Comedy for orchestra was composed in 1936 by Australian composer Arthur Benjamin; it was first performed in London on 2 March 1937, under the direction of Gordon Jacob. The piece opens "fortissimo", presenting its first main subject in the woodwinds against pizzicato strings and creating a lively mood.The second theme is much softer, and is presented by a solo horn.Following this is a gayer melody for two flutes playing in thirds; this is soon taken up by the trumpets, who are instructed in the score to play in a "vulgar"