NOTES on the SYMPHONY

The symphony as a musical composition is like a novel, a story told in sound. It is a complete self contained narrative with characters, plot, tension, release, and conclusion. The best part of these works is that YOU can make up your own characters to fit into the story as you go along.

The symphony is usually told in four chapters, in the case of the symphony four movements. You will find that the first movement usually lays out the plot, characters, theme and motive. The second movement lays out the conflict of the story. It is usually slower and more sombre and filled with tension and angst. The third movement is most often in a dance rhythm and fairly lively and lighter in emotion compared to the first two movements. The fourth movement, like the first, is usually lively, energetic, and wraps up the story. It has the climax, the big finish, and the resolution.

This Brahms symphony, written in 1877, the second of four that he wrote, is no exception. Done in the Classical style, the outer two movements are written in sonata form (two basic themes, presented and developed in different keys and then recapped or summarized). You will notice the verbiage is reminiscent of writing style. The second movement is a set of variations on a theme, and the third movement is usually a dance movement in this case a minuet that blossoms into a exciting scherzo, a rapid development of the minuet. The fourth movement is very exciting, filled with mystery, excitement, and resolution. Enjoy this monumental work by one of the icons of the Romantic movement and develop your own story to go with the beautiful music that you hear.