I know this is a Not-So-Quick Guide - I'm dropping the ball a bit because there's always detail I want to include (and so much of it with Brahms...). I'll try to make it all snappier in future weeks, focusing only on the most important things. Hope you enjoy!
Yeah honestly I like the more detail. I learn more, and I get more familiar with the whole work so when I go to listen to it the piece feels familiar enough that it’s more easily accessible. I wouldn’t sacrifice quality for length for these types of videos. Appreciate you man!!
i like it with more detail, it doesn't need to have a set time limit, in fact i preferred your listening guide podcast which were a real deep dive to the work
I always find it so much easier and more enjoyable to listen to a piece after i've seen a video of yours on it. I've always liked the Beethoven Symphonies but after watching your videos about them I understand and enjoy them a lot more. Thanks! :D
Definitely so, those videos help us to pay attention to details, which we would have missed otherwise. Beethoven symphonies are my favouirites, now I am starting to like Brahms more with the videos on symphonies.
This was the first piece I ever played in a symphony orchestra. At the age of 13 I walked on stage, seeing instruments I had never seen before (like the bassoon!). Can you imagine the ear-gasm as we start to play this piece? I think I was in shock and awe that music could be this beautiful and exciting! Brahms’ 2nd will always and forever hold a special place in my heart as my real introduction into orchestral music.
I had a music teacher in 4-5th grade in school who exposed us all to classical music in her classes. This was during the great British rock invasion in the US, lead by the Beatles, so it was music was exciting to me. From the time I was old enough to buy my own, I always had nearly as many classical records, dvds, tapes and such as I did contemporary. I love to hear it, and love just as much to learn about it. If you take the time to post, I will take the time to listen. Thanks for this channel.
Yep, l enjoyed that very much. I adore the 2nd but am looking forward to your analysis of his 4th... P. S. Probably not an original thought but l tend to think of Brahms' four symphonies as four grand movements of one huge symphony.
Super excited to see your video on Brahms' 4th symphony in E minor, one of my new favorite works ever (that is, of course, after you make a video on the third ;) Great video as always!
Wow, thanks so much for this! I confess I have always passed over Brahms' middle symphonies, in favour of his 1st & 4th-but this video has helped me to more greatly appreciate the beauty of the 2nd Symphony, & will now go & listen to it in its entirety!
This and the fourth, Brahm's least a like symphonies, have always been my favourites - although my favourite stuff from him has to be his chamber works, in special the horn trio and the clarinet trio. Love the rush of euphoria this symphony gets in the end, especially when seen live.
@@clavichord I truly believe his horn trio is one of the most underrated pieces of chamber music ever. Rarely ever played, but brimming with sincere joy and with some of the best horn writing I've ever seen. Had the pleasure of playing the piano for it. It's hard, it's Brahms after all, but not as hard as some of his other piano stuff, and very, very fun to play.
@@FiveSharps Yes, his horn trio is also amongst my favourites. I know it well... also his two string sextets. He sometimes gives his string quartets a gypsy twist. Brahms was very fond of gypsy and other (Hungarian) folk music he heard in his lifetime👍
Thank you for this, probably took quite some time to put this together. These symphonies are dear to so many of us, and you bring such a clear perspective on the intentions and inner workings of them. Looking forward to 3 & 4 if you end up doing those as well!
The end of the first movement: you described it as “a strangely sad yet cheerful goodbye”. I’ve always felt that way about it as well, why do you think it feels that way?
Thanks for the video. I have to admit, there are some works of Brahms I struggle to get into. Symphony 2 is one of them. I get he is trying to be more pastoral here. But whereas Beethoven's themes and phrases seem more clear cut, Brahms is more ambiguous and mysterious. It's something I have to work on, because there's no doubt he is a great composer..
13:32 ... and also Brahms's own Tragic Overture (besides Beethoven's 4th and foreshadowing Mahler's 1st) PS: i absolutely L.O.V.E your channel and videos! Such quality content and so much passion, keep up the good work, we sure appreciate it!
I’ve always thought Brahms 2nd is so much better than his first, it seems less academic, and more enjoyable (not to say a piece which is academic can’t be enjoyable though)
Listen to one voice. Then listen to another. Then another. Then another. Then, listen to the upper and lower, while ignoring the middle. Then, listen to the middle ones, ignoring the upper and the lower. Then 3 at a time. Then all 4. Listen to the modulations. You start on the tonic, and move the dominant (usually), then maybe to the parallel minor, generally you feel "away", and by the end you return "home", to the tonic. Great feeling.
What a marvelous symphony. By curiosity, i was wondering if anyone could explain the second movement to me regarding the central musical development features, andthe music's functions for the individual and society? I've just started listening to Brahm and i find him quite interesting, based on the way composes and structures his work. It would really mean a lot, as i feel the need to know more about this exact movement and how it works. Thank you!
Anyways, there's a mistake: 2:58 the key you say it's F sharp minor, instead, if you look carefully at the key signature after the key, you'll notice it's B minor! I'm a classical pianist.
@@InsidetheScore No, I'm actually a trumpet player who got to sit next to the principal horn who played it. Playing the symphony was one of the highlights of being in symphony orchestra. The solo is so beautiful though, even though I'm not a horn player, I always looked forward to hearing it!
I know this is a Not-So-Quick Guide - I'm dropping the ball a bit because there's always detail I want to include (and so much of it with Brahms...). I'll try to make it all snappier in future weeks, focusing only on the most important things. Hope you enjoy!
Personally I like the profound guides. I always want more when the videos end
Yeah honestly I like the more detail. I learn more, and I get more familiar with the whole work so when I go to listen to it the piece feels familiar enough that it’s more easily accessible. I wouldn’t sacrifice quality for length for these types of videos. Appreciate you man!!
Keep this level of detail if no one is complaining about it, I also prefer it like this than missing or cutting fast lots of important parts
I think a little more detail is perfekt for this guide! 15 min is not too long at all, I actually like this much more
i like it with more detail, it doesn't need to have a set time limit, in fact i preferred your listening guide podcast which were a real deep dive to the work
I always find it so much easier and more enjoyable to listen to a piece after i've seen a video of yours on it. I've always liked the Beethoven Symphonies but after watching your videos about them I understand and enjoy them a lot more. Thanks! :D
Definitely so, those videos help us to pay attention to details, which we would have missed otherwise. Beethoven symphonies are my favouirites, now I am starting to like Brahms more with the videos on symphonies.
Definitely so. A famous perfumer once said, that it is a fact that the more you know about the materia the more you are able to enjoy it
This was the first piece I ever played in a symphony orchestra. At the age of 13 I walked on stage, seeing instruments I had never seen before (like the bassoon!). Can you imagine the ear-gasm as we start to play this piece? I think I was in shock and awe that music could be this beautiful and exciting! Brahms’ 2nd will always and forever hold a special place in my heart as my real introduction into orchestral music.
I had a music teacher in 4-5th grade in school who exposed us all to classical music in her classes. This was during the great British rock invasion in the US, lead by the Beatles, so it was music was exciting to me. From the time I was old enough to buy my own, I always had nearly as many classical records, dvds, tapes and such as I did contemporary. I love to hear it, and love just as much to learn about it. If you take the time to post, I will take the time to listen. Thanks for this channel.
I'm pretty hyped for the 4th symphony, the 1st movement is such a miracle.
And the second movement of the 4th is utterly Brahmsianesque... having said that I love all four symphonies in different ways.
And the passacaglia of the last movement. A perfect symphony!
@@jackdomanski6758 Definately!
I saw this in January before all the shutdown at my local Symphony Hall! This was INCREDIBLE. ❤️
Lucky! One of the best concerts I ever went to was Brahms 2 done by the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra at the BBC Proms
The fugue in the development of the 1st movement is one of my favourite symphonic moments, it's wonderful.
The introduction to the 1st movement's 2nd subject is unreal. one of my favorite classical passages evarr
Yep, l enjoyed that very much. I adore the 2nd but am looking forward to your analysis of his 4th...
P. S. Probably not an original thought but l tend to think of Brahms' four symphonies as four grand movements of one huge symphony.
How the hell is it that I have never heard this symphony before???????
Going to listen to it right now, and finish the video later👍👍👍
Brahms second will always have a special place in my heart ...beauty of its themes, and also my own private memories tied to this piece... Wonderful..
Super excited to see your video on Brahms' 4th symphony in E minor, one of my new favorite works ever (that is, of course, after you make a video on the third ;)
Great video as always!
Wow, thanks so much for this! I confess I have always passed over Brahms' middle symphonies, in favour of his 1st & 4th-but this video has helped me to more greatly appreciate the beauty of the 2nd Symphony, & will now go & listen to it in its entirety!
This and the fourth, Brahm's least a like symphonies, have always been my favourites - although my favourite stuff from him has to be his chamber works, in special the horn trio and the clarinet trio. Love the rush of euphoria this symphony gets in the end, especially when seen live.
Exactly, Brahms' chamber music contains some of his best output as a composer... especially when a clarinet is involved...
@@clavichord I truly believe his horn trio is one of the most underrated pieces of chamber music ever. Rarely ever played, but brimming with sincere joy and with some of the best horn writing I've ever seen. Had the pleasure of playing the piano for it. It's hard, it's Brahms after all, but not as hard as some of his other piano stuff, and very, very fun to play.
@@FiveSharps Yes, his horn trio is also amongst my favourites. I know it well... also his two string sextets. He sometimes gives his string quartets a gypsy twist. Brahms was very fond of gypsy and other (Hungarian) folk music he heard in his lifetime👍
It's like the difference between Beethoven's Fifth and Sixth symphonies.
lol
Somehow it makes sense. Brahms's 2nd sounds inevitably pastoral.
The first theme gives the sense of lydian which makes it sooo beautiful..
I just listened live for the first time yesterday, and being humming it all day
Fantastic & brilliant description 👍👍👍
Please make a guide for Brahms' 3rd Symphony as well. Since you introduced me to Brahmas, it has become one of my favorite pieces of music.
Thank you for this, probably took quite some time to put this together. These symphonies are dear to so many of us, and you bring such a clear perspective on the intentions and inner workings of them. Looking forward to 3 & 4 if you end up doing those as well!
As a conducting student, these videos have been helpful for beginning the process of score study with a new piece. Thank you!
Love your analysis !
Brilliant analysis. Thank you.
I can't thank you enough for your videos!!!!!!!!!
Another amazing video. Thank you very much. I hope you do Brahms's 3rd and 4th too.
god, i adore this piece. Studied it thoroughly on a conducting masterclass a few weeks back
The end of the first movement: you described it as “a strangely sad yet cheerful goodbye”. I’ve always felt that way about it as well, why do you think it feels that way?
Thanks for the video. I have to admit, there are some works of Brahms I struggle to get into. Symphony 2 is one of them. I get he is trying to be more pastoral here. But whereas Beethoven's themes and phrases seem more clear cut, Brahms is more ambiguous and mysterious. It's something I have to work on, because there's no doubt he is a great composer..
Thank you Oscar , again you've opened a door for me . I knew the piece, now it reveals some of it's hidden treasures to me
13:32 ... and also Brahms's own Tragic Overture (besides Beethoven's 4th and foreshadowing Mahler's 1st) PS: i absolutely L.O.V.E your channel and videos! Such quality content and so much passion, keep up the good work, we sure appreciate it!
I thought I was the only one to notice the connection with his Tragic Overture.
@@Cesar_SM few people do, maybe because it's not as well known as the others.
I’ve always thought Brahms 2nd is so much better than his first, it seems less academic, and more enjoyable (not to say a piece which is academic can’t be enjoyable though)
I prefer the 2nd too, although 1st's last movement is so good that sometimes makes me reconsider.
It seems less 'dug out', less attempting to reckon with Beethoven and more natural. I *much* prefer it to the first.
I personally find the first absolutely brilliant
Hello inside the score. I am a big fan. Would you please make a video on how to listen to baroque especially bach
He has a video on a complete introduction to J.S. Bach on his channel. ☺️
Listen to one voice. Then listen to another. Then another. Then another.
Then, listen to the upper and lower, while ignoring the middle. Then, listen to the middle ones, ignoring the upper and the lower. Then 3 at a time. Then all 4.
Listen to the modulations. You start on the tonic, and move the dominant (usually), then maybe to the parallel minor, generally you feel "away", and by the end you return "home", to the tonic. Great feeling.
@@itamarabramson5603 Gin and Tonic?
you are awesome!
I’ve heard that lullaby. I think my mom has sang it for me when I was young. I never knew it was by Brahms.
That lullaby!!!
What a marvelous symphony. By curiosity, i was wondering if anyone could explain the second movement to me regarding the central musical development features, andthe music's functions for the individual and society? I've just started listening to Brahm and i find him quite interesting, based on the way composes and structures his work.
It would really mean a lot, as i feel the need to know more about this exact movement and how it works.
Thank you!
Hi. I love you videos, and I was wandering if I could add Portuguese subtitles in some of them.
When you took 20 years to write your first symphony......
And then had the hang of it that you wrote your no. 2 in the summer holidays
Petition to have an analysis of Sibelius Violin Concerto to prepare ourselves to Twoset's #simpsibelius
This is really I n T e R e S t I n G
thank you
Great video, too bad Primephonic is only for Apple
Anyways, there's a mistake: 2:58 the key you say it's F sharp minor, instead, if you look carefully at the key signature after the key, you'll notice it's B minor! I'm a classical pianist.
Look at the Clef…
I’m so sad you left out the great horn solo towards the end of the first movement. I’ve always considered that the climax of the entire movement.
Are you a horn player
@@InsidetheScore No, I'm actually a trumpet player who got to sit next to the principal horn who played it. Playing the symphony was one of the highlights of being in symphony orchestra. The solo is so beautiful though, even though I'm not a horn player, I always looked forward to hearing it!
Please please please do Mahler’s 5th.....
Check out the Attention To Detail podcast, all Mahler's symphonies reviewed at length. Well worth a listen.
what are variations? mozart variations for instance.
Can you pin your primephonic track list? I wanted to listen to it but I cant find it on primephonic
If Van Morrison had been a composer in 1877, this is what he would have written.
yeah, uh, probably not
2:55 isn’t it b minor?
Not it’s bass clef remember
can you do a video on the coltrane quartet please?
The second was my least favorite Brahms symphony (mainly because the others are so great). Perhaps my list will be a bit altered now.
Like the saying goes: Those who can, do. Those who can't, become Critics 😉.