Schumann's Symphony No 2
TSO favourites
•
41m
Resilient and radiant.
Symphony No 2 in C, Op 61
- Sostenuto assai – Allegro ma non troppo
- Scherzo: Allegro vivace
- Adagio espressivo
- Allegro molto vivace
Composed by Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856)
42 minutes
Robert Schumann’s second symphony is a work of strength, beauty and determination. He began writing it in 1845, during a time when he was struggling with both physical illness and depression. Despite these challenges, the music is full of energy, invention and hope.
Schumann admired the great composers who came before him – especially J.S. Bach and Beethoven – and you can hear their influence in this piece. The symphony opens with a slow introduction that features a noble brass theme, which returns throughout the work like a guiding light. After this introduction, the first movement bursts into life, full of rhythmic drive and spirited melodies.
The second movement is a lively scherzo, with fast-moving string passages that feel like a whirlwind. It’s full of surprises and quick changes in character, showing Schumann’s playful and imaginative side.
The heart of the symphony is the third movement – a deeply emotional slow movement. It’s tender, lyrical and full of longing, with beautiful writing for strings and woodwinds. This movement is often considered one of Schumann’s finest slow movements, expressing vulnerability and hope in equal measure.
The final movement brings the symphony to a joyful and triumphant close. It’s energetic and optimistic, as if emerging from darkness into light. The return of the noble brass theme from the opening gives the music a feeling of unity and resolution.
Although Schumann was unwell when he composed this symphony, he later said that writing it helped him feel stronger. That sense of resilience comes through clearly in the music. The work is a powerful statement – full of struggle, beauty, and ultimately, triumph. It stands as one of his greatest achievements in orchestral writing.
Livestreamed on Friday 15 Aug 2025 7:30pm
PROGRAM
Robert Schumann, Symphony No 2 in C, Op 61
MUSICIANS
Conductor: Eivind Aadland
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Federation Concert Hall, Nipaluna / Hobart
TAGS
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, orchestra, TSO, Hobart, Tasmania, Norway, Classical, Orchestral, violin, brass, strings
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