Symphony No. 8 in B minor – Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert, born in Wein, Austria on January 31, 1797, was one of the most brilliant composers of the Romantic era, and he is known for his many contributions to chamber music and symphonic compositions. This fantastic Austrian composer established himself as the leader of the early Romantic era by composing pieces that tested the traditions of music in his time. Although he lived a relatively short life of only 31 years, he wrote a total of nine symphonies, of which the best known is his Eighth Symphony, which he never finished. The first movement of this symphony opens with the basses and cellos playing a somber theme that sets the mood for the whole piece. The violins then come in with a whispering accompaniment while the oboes and clarinets come in playing the melody in unison. The cellos start a new charming melody that gets passed on to the violins, but then the mood abruptly shifts to darkness as the violins’ melody is suddenly cut off. From that point on, the mood of the movement shifts rapidly from levity to darkness and back again. These quick shifts in mood are often thought to reflect the distressed emotions of Schubert as he composed this piece. Towards the end of the movement, all the strings bring out the theme that the cellos and basses played at the beginning and throughout the movement. This movement concludes with strong chords but then tapers off at the end that leaves the listeners begging for the subsequent movements of this magnificent “Unfinished Symphony.”
  – Andrew Callens ‘14

Symphony No. 1 in D Major – Gustav Mahler
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) was a late Romantic Austrian composer and a leading conductor of his generation. He was born in the village of Kalischt, Bohemia (then Austria-Hungary, now Kaliště in the Czech Republic). Later his family moved to Iglau (now Jihlava) where Mahler grew up. As director of the Vienna Hofoper he provided a model of new ideals for the German musical theatre. Although his early compositions were initially viewed as “eccentric” by critics, during the last decade of his life his compositions and conducting began to receive critical support and praise from the musical community, ensuring the survival of his works. Years after Mahler’s death, his work gained wide popularity again after periods of neglect during a ban on performances in much of Europe during the Nazi era. His first Symphony was widely described as a “symphonic poem or tone poem” after his first performance. The “Romantic” symphony stood out because it was unlike other compositions at the time. The second movement of his piece, revolves around an Austrian Peasant Dance, a light waltz-like theme that drives the entire movement.
– Luke Raus ‘13

Symphony No. 4 in E Minor – Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms was born in 1833, and died in 1897.  Brahms wrote his Fourth Symphony during the years 1884 to 1885.  Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 is said to be the sum of all his learning, technique, and knowledge.  The Fourth Symphony has a total of four movements, the third is a Scherzo – a fast, humorous movement.  In the context of the whole Symphony, the third movement is the climax, and is followed with the fourth movement, which is looking to the future. This type of ending surpasses the standard Beethoven ending that was common in the late 1800’s.  Brahms also wrote pieces for Orchestra, Piano, Chamber, Organ, and vocal-to name a few.  Brahms wrote over 150 pieces in the 64 years of his life and added many pieces to wonderful music remembered from the Romantic Era.
– Nick Sopwith ‘14

Symphony No. 9 in E Minor  – Antonin Dvorak
Composed in 1893, this piece was written during Antonin Dvorak’s visit to America. Dvorak’s themes draw from Native and African American music for inspiration. The fourth movement begins with a dramatic entrance, Dvorak then introduces a dramatic and powerful theme, which can be heard throughout the piece. He follows into a light, yet still dramatic second theme, providing balance to the beginning. Dvorak then brings back a variation of the powerful theme, followed by a quick and light portion. Fading away, Dvorak introduces a soft and quiet theme that seems to tell a story. Intensifying, Dvorak increases the tension of the piece, only to reintroduce the light and mellow theme once again. He continues this fluctuation while simultaneously weaving in the theme that was heard at the beginning of the piece. Building tension, Dvorak rapidly brings us to the conclusion of the piece, using the original theme to bring the piece to a violent and dramatic close. Dvorak’s ground-breaking piece helped him to make great contributions to the Romantic Era of music. His music helped to define the Romantic Era, through its drama, recurring themes, and links with other cultures outside the realm of western art music. Dvorak’s Ninth Symphony has made a permanent mark not only in the history of musical composition but on the minds of its listeners as well.
– Evan Walker ‘13