I first listened through this one on June 6, but it was only today that I got around to fleshing my notes into paragraphs, so I took another listen.
The main activity in the first movement (‘Andante moderato’) is alternation between cute, pokey melodies and big, dramatic, Beethoveny moments. It was OK, but by minute 5, I was done — felt like I’d heard it repeat one too many times.
The second movement (‘Allegro molto’) was one of the best of all the symphonies so far. The horn section is the star — they’re mostly in the background doing lots of quick, rhythmic pulses, as well as punctuating most of the strings throughout. This movement keeps up a pretty good energy — it reminds me of people hurrying to pack for a trip. Now and again it briefly shifts into a slightly darker mode for a cheeky little passage that sounds like something out of a musical. This one’s just fun to listen to.
The thing I noticed most about the third movement (‘Tempo di minuetto’) was that it occasionally sank to a particularly drama-laden atmosphere, a bit thicker than your average minor-key shift (eg, around 1:20). This section occasionally lifts itself back into bright tones and then sinks back down, like sunshine poking through the clouds. But I can’t honestly say this made much of an impression overall.
I rate this symphony 2.5 stars out of 5 — an OK beginning, an exceptional middle section and a passable finish.
Version listened to: Hogwood
Length: 14:54
Next up: Symphony No. 27