Schumann · Robert Schumann
Schumann Symphony No. 1 in B♭ major "Spring"
A newlywed Schumann sketches spring in four days
- Key
- B♭ major
- Composed
- 1841
- Premiere
- 1841 Leipzig
- Duration
- about 30 min
- Movements
- 4 movements
- Instrumentation
- Woodwinds 2·2·2·2 · Brass 4·2·3·0 · Timpani · Percussion (triangle) · Strings
The story behind this piece
In 1840, Schumann overcame long opposition and married Clara; until then he had written mostly piano pieces and songs. The following January, he sketched his entire first symphony in just four days (January 23–26, 1841) and finished it in a little over a month. He is said to have drawn inspiration from Adolf Böttger's poem "Spring."
At first he gave each movement a title such as "Spring's Beginning," "Evening," "Merry Playmates," and "Full Spring," but removed them when publishing. It was premiered on March 31, 1841, at the Leipzig Gewandhaus, conducted by his friend Mendelssohn.
What to listen for
- Opening of the first movement: trumpets and horns sound a fanfare. Schumann wanted it to sound like "a call to awaken, coming from on high."
- Fourth movement: the finale of "Full Spring," racing along brightly and lightly.
Listen · Score
- Hear the full piece on YouTube · NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra (ARD Klassik) · Christoph von Dohnányi
- Free scores on IMSLP (full score and parts)
Credits