jmc's classics
Today is the anniversary of the premier of Brahms' fourth Symphony (Opus #98) in 1885. it is one of my favorite works of his. I especially like the third movement. It is his last symphony. The first mention of it was in 1884 around the time that he completed his Third Symphony. The premier took place in Meiningen Germany with the Meiningen court Orchestra with the composer conducting. Earlier he had given a private performance of the work. He composed the work secretly in the Alps where he usually worked.
This work is rich in allusions. it makes references to some of Beethoven's works. There is a theory that the work was inspired by the play Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare. This symphony looks in to the future. Brahms first two symphonies followed Beethoven's model. They ended in the affirmative. The Thirds has a quiet ending. I am not as familiar with Brahms three other symphonies. They are all monumental in nature. All are part of the standard repertoire and are played by major symphony orchestras. It is rather Tragic in character and there are many theories on why this is so. Brahms had studied history and had studied and was familiar with Bach and Handel. he was familiar with their composing techniques and their works. It is in the Standard four movements: Allegro mon troppo, Andante moderato, Allegro giocoso and Allegro energico. It lasts about 40 minutes There are many good recordings of this work. The one that I have is of Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. It is coupled with the Academic Festival and Tragic Overtures on the Sony Label. Ironically I don't think that this sounds tragic.
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