English Commentary by Sergio Cánovas 

The third symphony of Brahms was composed during the summer of 1883 in the spa town of Wiesbaden, perhaps to be next to Hermione Spies, a young singer who had inspired him for some songs. It was premiered on December 2, 1883 in Vienna with the Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Hans Richter with great success, despite the whistles of a small group of supporters of Bruckner and Wagner. Then it was presented in Berlin under the direction of Joachim on January 4, 1884, with such success that several auditions of the work were made. Hans von Bülow himself, formerly an enemy of Brahms, but now one of his most fervent fans, directed it in Meiningen on February 3, 1884, being one of the most important disseminators of the work.

Hans Richter, who conducted the premiere of the symphony, proclaimed it to be Brahms’ Eroica. The symphony was well received, more so than his Second Symphony. After each performance, Brahms polished his score further, until it was published in May 1884. His friend the influential music critic Eduard Hanslick said, «Many music lovers will prefer the titanic force of the First Symphony; others, the untroubled charm of the Second, but the Third strikes me as being artistically the most nearly perfect.»

The first movement is written in sonata form, it begins with three chords of the winds that will be repeated throughout the work. There are three ascending notes: F, A flat and F, its own currency taken in 1856, «Frei aber Froh», free but happy. These notes serve as the basis for the first theme presented by violins in descending notes. It is a heroic theme that is inspired by Schumann’s third Symphony, with features of greatness. In contrast, the second theme is of a pastoral lyricism and is presented by the clarinet. The exposition ends in a more hectic way.

In the development, the pastoral theme appears in a more agitated way in strings and bassoons. Highlights the entry of a solo from the horn, playing the initial motif of three notes in various tones. It ends with some somber phrases based on the main theme that will give way to the recapitulation. The main themes are repeated again in other tones reaching an elaborate section of coda in which the main theme and the motif of three notes passionately stated with great counterpoint resources.

The second movement is built in the form of lied or song without words. The clarinet acts as a soloist presenting the main theme. Fagots and clarinets support the motif with echoes of violas and cellos. The central part is darker presenting a new theme. Follow a broad development section. In the final part the first part of the movement is repeated, ending with a coda that expresses a feeling of peace.

The third movement is the most famous and known of the symphony. It is due to the wonderful melody that composes its main theme. It has the ternary form of the scherzo with its trio, but it departs completely from its spirit. Its form is more similar to an interlude or a romanza It is composed of a theme in a less melancholic tone that is repeated six times. The violoncelos present it, then the violins and the horn, finally they are accompanied by the flute. After a brief central section based on a three-note phrase, the main theme returns, this time played by the horn, the oboe and finally the violins and cellos.

The last movement presents us with a stormy finale. Start with a mysterious main theme. The second theme in contrast is cheerful and rhythmic. Brahms now shows all his strength using elements contrasted in major and minor tones. The development is based on short themes that are constantly changing, reaching the climax of the work. Then the stormy elements disappear, listening again to the theme inspired by Schumann used in the first movement. The metals on the bottom of the strings in arpeggios present us in the form of a coda, the twilight that follows a stormy day.

Picture: «Prometheus» (1868) by the French painter Gustave Moreau.

Source: http://www.historiadelasinfonia.es/hi… and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphon…)