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Ivan Hewett for Building a Library surveys recordings of Brahms's Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.68.

Brahms's 1st Symphony begins in struggle, in C minor, and progresses from the turbulent searing string line kept in check by the powerful, persistent timpani beat in the opening bars to a triumphant finale in C major by the end. The whole symphony feels in a sense like a battle. Although Brahms began to compose the first movement of his 1st Symphony in 1862, he took the best part of fourteen years to complete the whole symphony. During the intervening years, he composed the Variations on a Theme by Haydn, his Sextet and many solo piano pieces. When the 1st Symphony was finally premiered in 1876, it was hailed as the most significant since Schumann. There are echoes too of Beethoven's 5th Symphony which likewise progresses from C minor to C major.

Recommended Recording:

Berliner Philharmoniker; Wilhelm Furtw盲ngler (conductor)

DG 4770062 (CD or digital download)

Other Recommended Recordings:

Below are other recordings that Ivan also liked, although we can鈥檛 guarantee availability.

Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR; Roger Norrington (conductor)
H盲nssler HAEN93267 (3 SACDs)

Gewandhausorchester; Riccardo Chailly (conductor)
Decca 4787471 (3 CDs)

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