Schumann Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major, op. 38 Part II
The second movement of Schumann’s Spring Symphony.
II. Larghetto
Rondo form
The slow movement opens with a lyric, expressive melody based off of the fanfare from the first movement in the strings. Rich and full, occasional flourishes in the strings and winds decorate the melody as it continues on its course. The first statement of the melody lasts almost one and a half minutes, transitioning into the first contrasting episode beginning at 1:27.
A cello descent and crescendoing brass chords lead into a somewhat lonely and melancholy “turn” figure played slowly in the oboe, answered by tutti strings. The strings repeat the turn before a reassuring wind descent leads into a repeat of the section (2:04).
The rondo theme returns in the cello at 2:31, accompanied by twinkling pizzicato notes in the strings and similarly soft notes in the flutes.
At 3:22 the second contrasting episode begins with rolling cello accompaniment underneath sharp wind figures. The cellos begin a steady rhythmic figure that drives the section (3:33) as the winds and upper strings continue their dialogue-like section before joining the cellos. The orchestra crescendos before a slow descent (4:02) lands on slowly pulsing chords.
The rondo returns for the final time beginning at 4:34, this time in the winds with a dancing string accompaniment.
After the transitory cello descent and trill (5:59) the coda begins with rondo theme motives in the strings. Wind descents followed by tutti chords lead to flute notes answered by pulsing brass. At 7:03 a trombone choir plays a chorale, answered with chant-like fifths from the winds over warm string chords.
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If you are interested in listening to a recording, I recommend Leonard Bernstein’s 1997 recording with the Vienna Philharmonic on Deutsche Grammophone. You can buy this recording from Amazon by clicking on the image below. Alternatively, you can purchase this recording from the iTunes Music Store often at a reduced price by following the link below.
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