Fanny Mendelssohn, Das Jahr, August

This piece includes a quotation from Friedrich Schiller’s poem “Das Lied von der Glocke” (The Song of the Bell):

Bunt von Farben
Auf den Garben
Liegt der Kranz.

(English translation:)
Bright with color
Upon the sheaves
Lies the garland.

In striking contrast to July, August has such a bright and brilliant atmosphere. Mr. Cosmo and I were talking about how August in Italy is extremely hot, and is also the season when everyone goes on vacation and heads to the seaside, so it seems to be filled with such exuberant energy.

I can also hear melodies that remind me of the sound of horns or trumpets. As the melody begins, there is the marking Tempo di Marcia (a march tempo), and I would like to explore this aspect even further in order to bring out the cheerful, joyful atmosphere and the sense of movement and exhilaration in the music.