Symphony No 2 in D, Op 73
Allegro ma non troppo
Adagio ma non troppo
Allegretto grazioso (quasi andantino)
Allegro con spirito
Composed by Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)
43 minutes

Johannes Brahms composed his Symphony No 2 in D during the summer of 1877, in the peaceful surroundings of Pörtschach, a lakeside village in southern Austria. The setting seems to have inspired the music’s warm, lyrical character – so much so that the work is often nicknamed Brahms’ ‘Pastoral’ Symphony, though its moods are more complex than simple happiness.

After the long and difficult process of writing his First Symphony, which had taken nearly 15 years, Brahms completed his Second in just a few months. The result feels relaxed and spontaneous.

The opening movement unfolds gently, with a calm, flowing melody that seems to breathe the fresh air of the Austrian countryside. Yet beneath the surface warmth, there are moments of melancholy and introspection – reminders that Brahms never allowed sentimentality to go unchecked. The second movement is darker and more reflective, while the third offers a graceful contrast – part waltz, part rustic dance. The finale begins softly but quickly builds to one of the most exuberant conclusions in all of Brahms’ music, full of energy and radiant optimism.

At its premiere in Vienna later that year, audiences were struck by the work’s beauty and humanity. Critics described it as “sunshine” after the stormy drama of the First Symphony.

Brahms’ Second Symphony remains a favourite among orchestras and listeners alike. It combines warmth and intellect, lyricism and strength – music that feels both deeply personal and universally uplifting. It captures Brahms at his most approachable: thoughtful but not brooding, radiant yet grounded, and ultimately confident in the expressive power of the symphony.

Livestreamed on Saturday 22 Nov 2025 7:30pm

PROGRAM
Grieg, In Autumn, Op 11
Brahms, Symphony No 2 in D, Op 73

MUSICIANS
Conductor Eivind Aadland
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Federation Concert Hall, Nipaluna / Hobart