2nd symphony (Schumann)

The Symphony no. 2 in C major , Op. 61 wrote Robert Schumann in the years 1845 and 1846. Chronologically seen it since he wrote the symphony in D minor in 1841 his third symphony. However, this initially remained unpublished, and Schumann only revised it in 1851 so that it was published as his 4th symphony.

History of origin

The symphony in C major was written at the time when Schumann's health had reached its first low point; the reason for this was probably to be found in his mental as well as physical depression. So you can interpret the symphony with the help of his two imaginary brothers Florestan and Eusebius . Some interpretations suggest that each theme, each mood was "composed" by one of these two. Furthermore, the symphony was greatly influenced by works by Johann Sebastian Bach . Schumann himself said that he would cure himself of his depression by studying Bach and writing this symphony.

Orchestral line-up

2 flutes , 2 oboes , 2 clarinets , 2 bassoons , 2 horns , 2 trumpets , 3 trombones , timpani in C and G, strings in 5 parts (first and second violins , violas , cellos , double basses )

structure

The symphony consists of four movements, with the 2nd and 3rd movements being swapped, contrary to the principles of the classical symphony , as Beethoven used in his 9th symphony and Mendelssohn in his Reformation symphony . The four sentences are named:

1. Sostenuto assai - Allegro ma non troppo (with a slow and solemn introduction)
2. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
3. Adagio espressivo
4. Allegro molto vivace

swell

1988 Ernst Eulenburg & Co GmbH, Mainz / ISBN 978-3-7957-6489-0

Web links

2nd Symphony (Schumann) : Sheet music and audio files in the International Music Score Library Project