Schumann Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major, op. 38 Part IV
The final movement of Schumann’s first symphony.
IV. Allegro animato e grazioso
Sonata form
The fourth movement begins with a grand orchestral ascent, which also serves as the introduction. Instead of a broad, sweeping theme to match, what we get instead is a dainty, fragile theme in the violins repeated by the winds. A heavy figure from the brass and timpani at 0:37 sends the strings and winds scurrying. An oboe melody modulates the key to, eliciting a minor version of the opening ascent from the low strings. This phrase is repeated before the violins play theme one (in minor) at 1:08. Out of this rather tense harmonic environment, theme two bursts forth at 1:17 in the orchestra as a syncopated rising and falling line. The main motive is repeated softly by the clarinet and extended by the oboe before the theme is repeated. Horn ascents and accompanying strings finish the phrase and lead to a repeat of the exposition.
After the exposition repeats the development begins at 3:34 with two note descents from the clarinet answered by string tremolos. Theme two is played by the flutes twice; first in major and then in minor after another round of the clarinet and strings. A horn fanfare is followed by restrained, rising theme two motives in the strings over a quietly rising brass line. Theme-two based oboe ascents (4:22) lead to a grand pause at 4:49. The horns play a series of ascents as a flute begins to dance above, leading to the recapitulation of theme one at 5:21.
The violins play theme one more or less as it was originally stated at 5:34. A loud tutti at 6:03 clears the way for the oboe melody from the exposition (this time played first by the clarinet) which again modulates the key and leads to the minor rendition of theme one (6:21). Theme two returns at 6:30 with the clarinet statement at 6:38. The recapitulation ends with the orchestral statement and cadence at 7:01.
Tremolos in the low strings are played in between dotted figures in the winds and brass. Two-note figures alternate between the brass and strings. Theme two motives in the winds play against crescendoing string tremolos before a brass line ends the section. At 7:20 string ascents are punctuated by brass and timpani chords before more two-note descents converse. Against another set of string tremolos the trombone plays a series of three-note descents (7:28) leading to repeating string octaves and theme two motives in the brass and winds. The symphony ends with a proud descending string line and three cadential 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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