Schumann: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3

The Symphony No.1 in B flat major, Opus 38, scored for pairs of flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons, with four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, three timpani, triangle and strings, is still generally known by the title Schumann first proposed for it, Spring. He drew some inspiration from a poem by the Leipzig writer Adolf Böttger and originally suggested titles for each movement. Spring's Awakening was followed by Evening, Happy Playfellows and Spring's Farewell. No literary assistance, however, is required for an understanding of the optimistic mood of the work and its clear classical form, the score written, the composer claimed, with a steel pen found lying near Beethoven's grave in Vienna. The whole work was sketched in four days and sleepless nights and scored during the following three weeks. It was given its first performance under Mendelssohn at the Leipzig Gewandhaus on 31st March, 1841, and was an immediate success.

The arrival of Schumann in Düsseldorf in September, 1850, was immediately followed by a visit to Cologne for the enthronement of the Cardinal-Archbishop in a ceremony that proved deeply impressive. On his return he set to work on his Cello Concerto, following this with the so-called Rhenish Symphony, the Symphony No.3 in E flat major, Opus 97, which he sketched and orchestrated in the space of five weeks, starting at the beginning of November. The first performance was given at a subscription concert in Düsseldorf on 6th February, 1851, when the symphony won considerable success. The work, scored for pairs of flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, two timpani and strings, opens with a theme from which the principal substance of the energetic first movement is derived. The second movement Scherzo is unusual in form, consisting of three variations on a C major melody, the second taking the place of the expected Trio. The third movement is one of calm lyricism, giving way to the ceremonial interlude of the fourth, inspired by the archiepiscopal enthronement in Cologne. The final movement is one of continued contentment and delight.