Poster Johannes Brahms at his home in Vienna
Johannes Brahms at his home in Vienna
Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Performance Today®

Brahms's second symphony

The first symphony Johannes Brahms wrote took him nearly 20 years to complete. By contrast, Brahms wrote his second symphony in just a few weeks. On this episode of Performance today, hear the Buffalo Philharmonic play Brahms's Symphony No. 2, with JoAnn Falletta conducting.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Ludwig van Beethoven: Septet in E-flat, Op. 20: Movement 2 Adagio cantabile
Eduard Brunner, clarinet; Marie-Luise Neunecker, horn; Thomas Zehetmair, violin; Stefan Schweigert, bassoon
Beethoven Septet and Piano Quintet Music
Philips 434036

Arnold Bax: Quintet for Oboe and Strings
James Austin Smith, oboe; Rolston String Quartet
The Bank of America Chamber Music Series, Spoleto Festival USA, Dock Street Theater, Charleston, SC

Piano Puzzler: This week's contestant is Brent Sverdloff from Rhinebeck, NY

Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 8 in G major, Op. 30 No. 3
Augustin Hadelich, violin; Jason Hardink, piano
Grand Teton Music Festival, Walk Festival Hall, Jackson Hole, WY

Hour 2

Bela Bartok: Two Romanian Dances, Op. 8a, Sz 43: Allegro vivace
Gyorgy Sandor, piano
Bela Bartok Solo Piano Works, Vol. 2
SONY 68275

Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2, Op. 73
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta, conductor
BPO Live BRAHMS TCHAIKOVSKY
Beau Fleuve Records 610708-095002

Amy Beach: Theme and Variations for flute and string quartet, Op. 80
Elizabeth Mann, flute; Steven Copes, violin; Stefan Hersh, violin; Toby Appel, viola; Bion Tsang, cello
Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Packard Hall, Colorado Springs, CO

Bela Bartok: Violin Sonata for solo violin: Movement 1 Tempo di ciaccona
Timothy Kantor, violin
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St Paul, MN

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American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.

Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

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