Johannes Brahms - Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 | Cristian Măcelaru | WDR Symphony Orchestra

Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2 in D major, played by the WDR Symphony Orchestra under the direction of its chief conductor Cristian Măcelaru. Recorded live on 15.03.2024 in the Kölner Philharmonie.
Johannes Brahms - Symphony No. 2 in D major Op. 73
00:00:00 I. Allegro non troppo
00:20:20 II. Adagio non troppo
00:29:25 III. allegretto grazioso
00:34:24 IV. Allegro con spirito
WDR Symphony Orchestra
Cristian Măcelaru, conductor
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Introduction to the work:
Johannes Brahms' Second Symphony seems like an effortless masterpiece. And appearances are not deceptive: the composer only needed around four months from the initial idea to the completion of the work. In this respect too, the Second is a counterpart to Brahms' First Symphony, which he labored over for around 15 years. And while No. 1 sounds serious, austere, even gloomy, he created the most cheerful, light-hearted of his four symphonies with No. 2. It was mainly composed during the composer's summer vacation in Pörtschach am Wörthersee in 1877. It is one of the rare cases in which the surroundings directly influenced the mood of a composition.
seems to have had a direct effect on the mood of a composition. “Here - yes, here it is very lovely, lake, forest, ‘above blue mountains arch, shimmering white in pure snow’”, Brahms quotes from his song “Auf dem See” to describe his vacation spot. He composes the symphony in a truly elated mood. And despite all the tonal floods of sunshine, Brahms makes no secret of the fact that light shines all the more powerfully in the interplay with shadow in this work. And so melancholy sprinkles provide the necessary contrast.
In September, Brahms travels on to Lichtental near Baden-Baden to meet Clara Schumann. Their friendship had become even closer since the death of Robert Schumann a good twenty years earlier. On this occasion, Brahms plays her parts of the symphony he has just composed on the piano. Clara notes clairvoyantly in her diary: “With this symphony he will also have more resounding success with the public than with the first”. In fact, the premiere in Vienna on December 30 of the same year was an absolute triumph. An acquaintance of Brahms' publisher writes: “Exemplary performance, warmest recording, 3rd movement (Allegretto) da capo”. And the report continues: “Life and power bubble up everywhere, with depth of feeling and sweetness. You can only compose this in the countryside, in the middle of nature.” Rarely has an enthusiastic statement been so true.
Text: Otto Hagedorn

[@anigiuran109]

Thank you WDR Klassik . I like Brahms ' s music ! I much appreciate Cristian Măcelaru ! 😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤

[@leestamm3187]

A thoroughly excellent performance of the Brahms masterwork. Thanks for sharing it with us

[@WDRKlassik]

You're welcome! We're glad that you like it 😊

[@hornsby5533]

Wiedermal ein Genuss für Augen und Ohren. Danke.

[@WDRKlassik]

Das freut uns zu hören 🥰

[@paulinge1355]

Herrliche Musik,ein Genuss zuzuhören.

[@zwiesland]

Die Interpretationen von Christian Măcelaru und dem WDR Sinfonieorchester bringen die Musik von Brahms zum Strahlen wie kein anderes Orchester. Tatsächlich haben Sie mich ein bisschen für andere Orchester "verdorben" :) Ich kann es gar nicht mehr anders hören.

[@WDRKlassik]

🫶

[@user-vs8qb1jk6f]

​@@WDRKlassik21:10 21:19

[@SilvioNobre]

Grandiosa interpretação. Absolutamente lindo! ❤️

[@JohannaA.5013]

From Johanna to Johannes: ❤❤

[@robertcohn8858]

Beautiful performance and great synchronized videography and sound quality. Thank you, WDR.

[@WDRKlassik]

Our pleasure! We're happy that you like it 🤗

[@mariainesdeandradealcantar3263]

👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪BRAVO!!!!!!

[@galinakrivulin6767]

Brilliant conductor Cristian Macelaru leading impeccable WDR Symphony Orchestra always makes any concert memorable . Thank you for introduction to work by Otto Hagedorn.(text)

[@user-dx8ce5xw4u]

❤❤❤ Дякую

[@marius6086]

The intro might be deceptive, but I always know a piece is going to go hard when Christian Macelaru is named.

[@WDRKlassik]

😄 You might enjoy our playlist then: kzbin.info/aero/PLS66eMqyKkK0u1Dp61h704WIlnofZpr3R

[@bobcochran2890]

I wish the recording engineers did a better job of capturing all the instruments, as is done so well by many others. It would make this orchestra really shine.

[@keksmitmilch9431]

woah das horn

[@WDRKlassik]

😄