Question

After the first subject reappears at the end of the exposition, what happens to it in Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture?

The first subject undergoes a transformation.
The first subject is played in reverse order.
The first subject fades into silence.
The first subject continues with increased intensity.

Answer 1

In Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, the first subject experiences a transformation after it reappears, similar to how film music can change a scene's mood from grim to hopeful.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Felix Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, after the first subject reappears at the end of the exposition, it undergoes a transformation. This transformation can be akin to the effect music has on a scene in a movie, shaping the audience's emotional response. For instance, in a film, the same footage can evoke entirely different feelings depending on whether the music is slow and mournful or light and uplifting. Just as changing soundtracks can alter a movie scene from grim to hopeful, in the Hebrides Overture, the first subject heightens in intensity as it progresses, drawing the listener further into the musical narrative and evoking a range of emotional responses.