Product Overview
Brahms - The Four Symphonies / Variations On a Theme By Haydn / Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Hungarian State Orchestra / Gyorgy Lehel, Gyula Nemeth / Hungaroton Classic 3x Audio CD 1998 Stereo / CLD403840
UPC 5991810403820
Product Details:
Tracklist:
CD 1 62:03
1. Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn Op. 56a
2. Symphony No. 1 in C minor Op. 68
CD 2 75:02
1. Symphony No. 2 in D major Op. 73
2. Symphony No. 3 in F major Op. 90
CD 3 64:59
1. Tragic Overture in D minor Op. 81
2. Symphony No. 4 in E minor Op. 98
3. Academic Festival Overture in C minor Op. 80
- Orchestra - Hungarian State Orchestra, Budapest Symphony Orchestra
- Conducted By - Gyula Nemeth and Gyorgy Lehel
About Variations on a Theme by Haydn:
The Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn, (German: Variationen über ein Thema von Jos. Haydn), now also called the Saint Anthony Variations, is a work in the form of a theme and variations, composed by Johannes Brahms in the summer of 1873 at Tutzing in Bavaria. It consists of a theme in B♭ major based on a "Chorale St Antoni", eight variations, and a finale. The work was published in two versions: for two pianos, written first but designated Op. 56b; and for orchestra, designated Op. 56a.
The orchestral version is better known and much more often heard than the two-piano version. It is often said to be the first independent set of variations for orchestra in the history of music, although there is at least one earlier piece in the same form, Antonio Salieri's Twenty-six Variations on 'La folia di Spagna' written in 1815.[citation needed]
Brahms's orchestral variations are scored for piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns (2 in E♭, 2 in B♭), 2 trumpets, timpani, triangle, and the normal string section of first and second violins, violas, cellos and double basses. The piece usually takes about 18 minutes to perform.
The first performance of the orchestral version was given on 2 November 1873 by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under Brahms's baton.
