Brahms Festival: Third and Fourth Symphonies

If you love Brahms, you’ll hear his large-scale compositions brought to life with a world-class orchestra. And if you’re completely new to the music, you’ll quickly discover what one of the most important composers brought to the world. Brahms’ third and fourth symphonies project honesty and emotional expression from an artist who never quite escaped his perfectionism, regardless of how successful he grew. He was humble and self-deprecating, and had a weak spot for his friends and loved ones.

One particularly loved one was Clara Schumann, the composer and wife of his old friend Robert. Clara believed this symphony exuded the ‘mysterious charm of the woods and forest’ and enjoyed every movement. Brahms added a personal touch into the work with a musical translation of his motto, free but happy. His fourth symphony carries a contrasting energy and – like his entire life’s work – was also compared to Beethoven.