Symphony in F major - Ernst von Dohnányi

Miskolc Symphony Orchestra conducted by László Kovács.

I - Allegro: 0:00
II - Adagio: 9:43
III - Scherzo. Prestissimo: 19:13
IV - Andante - [Allegro]: 22:20

Dohnányi's Symphony in F major was composed in 1896, while the composer was studying in the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music. It was premiered in said institution on June 2 of 1897, conducted by Gyula Erkel. It received a Royal Prize from the Hungarian king Franz Joseph I to commemorate the Hungarian millennium. However, the work remained unpublished and unrecorded until little over a decade ago.

The first movement is written in sonata form. It begins with an opulent and majestic main theme, followed by a melodic second theme presented by strings. The music is heavily reminiscent of Brahms, Dohnányi's model early in his career. After a complete repeat of the exposition, a more colourful and expressive development takes place. The music rises in a grand climax, soon contrasted by a lyrical passage. The recapitulation brings back the main themes. A triumphal coda ends the movement brilliantly.

The second movement is free in form. It opens with a brief introduction, before strings present a deeply lyrical and nostalgic main theme. The music unfolds in a romantic manner, alternating between melancholic and uplifting passages. An intense climax is reached in the middle part, followed by a recapitulation of the main theme. A crescendo then leads us to a massive climax of great splendour. A peaceful coda ends the movement.

The third movement is an unusual and short scherzo. It begins with a lively and rhythmic main theme on strings, which alternates with more melodic phrases without a proper, contrasting trio section. An energetic coda ends the scherzo.

The fourth movement is written in sonata form. It opens with a nostalgic introduction between strings and woods. The main allegro begins with a lively and vigorous main theme, contrasted by a placid and lyrical second theme. A heavily contrapuntal development then begins soon after, which culminates in a hopeful and bright climax. An epic coda ends the work in a triumphal way.

Picture: "Horses in a Rainstorm" (1862) by the German-Hungarian painter Károly Lotz.

Musical analysis mostly written by myself. Source: https://rb.gy/3iek2

Unfortunately the score is not available.

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