The Cleveland Orchestra in Miami Brahms and Bruch

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, violin

KNUSSEN Cleveland Pictures
BRUCH Violin Concerto No. 1
BRAHMS Symphony No. 1

“I shall never write a symphony,” Brahms said when young. He was fearful of the inevitable comparisons to Beethoven, and it took the otherwise prolific composer 14 years to produce his first symphony. When it was unveiled, audiences joyfully dubbed it “Beethoven’s Tenth,” in part because the great melody of the finale resembles the "Ode to Joy" ("any ass can see that," Brahms said). But Brahms has emerged from under Beethoven’s shadow, and his first symphony, with its rich melodies and colorful orchestrations, is recognized as a magnificent work. Renowned violinist Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider joins the Orchestra for Bruch’s popular violin concerto.