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Brahms Symphony 1 program notes, recordings and sheet music

Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

Johannes Brahms's Symphony No. 1 is more than just a powerful and profound musical statement; it is a testament to perseverance, a triumph over immense self-doubt, and a work that instantly cemented his place as a symphonic heir to Beethoven. Composed over a period of at least fourteen years, from initial sketches in the early 1860s to its triumphant premiere in 1876, this symphony was the culmination of a colossal struggle for Brahms, who felt the colossal shadow of Beethoven's symphonies, particularly the Ninth, looming large over his own aspirations.

The symphony opens with a dramatic and imposing Un poco sostenuto – Allegro introduction, built on a relentless, pounding timpani rhythm and an ascending string motif that immediately grabs attention. This leads into the main Allegro, a movement of immense structural integrity and passionate intensity. The second movement, an Andante sostenuto, offers a beautiful respite with its lyrical melodies, particularly a soaring violin solo that showcases Brahms's mastery of tender expression. The third movement, an Un poco Allegretto e grazioso, is a charming and more light-hearted interlude, full of Brahms's characteristic rhythmic subtleties and folk-like melodies. Finally, the monumental fourth movement, Adagio – Più Andante – Allegro non troppo, ma con brio, begins with a slow, brooding introduction before unveiling its magnificent principal theme – a majestic and undeniably triumphant melody that bears an uncanny resemblance to the "Ode to Joy" theme from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This resemblance

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