Brahms 1

Brahms was well into middle age before he had the self-belief and confidence to tackle the symphony. It was certainly worth the wait. The magnificent First Symphony bursts into turbulent life, travels through passages of deep emotional intensity and ends in exultant glory.

And if Brahms wouldn’t have conceded that the satisfying and sunny Haydn Variations was a dry run (it was), the more serious Tragic Overture shows a composer at the height of his powers.

This concert is also part of BrahmsFest