Symphony No. 3 in A minor "Scottish", Op. 56, Op. 56

The "Scottish" Symphony (begun 1829, completed 1842) was inspired by Mendelssohn's visit to the ruined Chapel of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, where he noted a musical theme that became the introduction's brooding opening. It is the most structurally unified of his symphonies: all four movements are played without a full break, and the thematic material is closely interconnected across the work. The stormy first movement, the fleet Scherzo (one of Mendelssohn's greatest inventions), the serene slow movement, and the martial finale that ends in a radiant coda are each individually perfect; together they form his most satisfying large-scale orchestral canvas. Mendelssohn dedicated the work to Queen Victoria.