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Brahms’s First Symphony — The Long Road Into the Light
Johannes Brahms spent more than twenty years bringing his First Symphony to completion, conscious that any German symphonist following Beethoven would be measured against him. That burden can be heard throughout the work, but nowhere more clearly than in its final movement.
The music begins in C minor, uneasy and searching, before a radiant horn call breaks through the darkness. A solemn brass chorale follows, opening the way for the movement’s great central melody—broad, noble and deliberately reminiscent of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. From there, Brahms gradually gathers the entire orchestra into a triumphant C-major conclusion.
This is not cheerful music pasted over despair. Brahms allows uncertainty its full weight before leading us beyond it, making the final victory feel discovered rather than declared. The darkness remains part of the journey; it simply does not receive the final word.
We’ve look at Beethoven’s 6th before here on a Interlude Friday, but I wanted to highlight what I think is the section of the symphony that is most likely to get me killed while driving. The last two parts in particular.
4. Thunderstorm, Storm: Allegro
5. Shepherds’ song; cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm: Allegretto
The storm in the 6th symphony builds from the violas outward, each new instrumental addition bringing more stress to the musical line ending in a shattering musical climax that simply begs to be air -conducted. Try it, when you hear the timpani and brass swing the energy back and forth with the strings rising to meet them. It’s awesome. If you can make it to the Shepard’s song without incident you are golden.
All of this going on is not conducive to safe driving, so be warned. :)
Next week – Mozart’s Requiem and the parts that endanger my safe driving record.
bleatmop
Mystro
The Arbourist
Dead Wild Roses 
Your opinions…