2nd Symphony in D, Opus 36
Dedicated to Prince Carl Lichnovsky.
Adagio molto—Allegro con brio—Larghetto—Scherzo and Trio—Allegro molto.
In the Second Symphony, which is a great advance on the first, the composer’s hold of his subject is much firmer and the subjects themselves are more striking.
The Larghetto is full of lovely curves, and there is some charming conversational work between the wood-wind instruments. The horn passage is the precursor of many fine symphony subjects of a martial nature for the horns.
Whilst the chromatic harmony is purely Mozartian, the Scherzo is a genuine Beethovenian outburst, full of verve and piquant in touch.
There is a feeling of broadness about the brilliant and energetic Finale which is absent from the Finale of the First Symphony.