Premiere of Brahms' Symphony No. 2 in Vienna

Background. Brahms composed the symphony in the summer of 1877 at Pörtschach am Wörthersee in Carinthia. This period was notably brief compared to the twenty-one years required for his First Symphony. Despite its pastoral mood, Brahms described the work as melancholy in a letter to his publisher on 22 November 1877.

Premiere. The premiere occurred in Vienna on 30 December 1877. The Vienna Philharmonic performed the work under Hans Richter. The concert had been scheduled for 9 December but was postponed because the players were occupied with learning Richard Wagner's Das Rheingold.

Reception. The symphony's mood often invites comparison to Beethoven's Sixth Symphony. However, Brahms characterized the work as melancholy in correspondence with his publisher. A typical performance lasts between 40 and 50 minutes, depending on whether the first movement repeat is taken.