BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1 / Haydn Variations

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Both in his writing and interpretative stance, Furtw?ñngler sought to attain the heart of Brahms's idiom through the imagery of its connections with nature. The introduction to the Finale of the 'First Symphony' is an obvious case in point. Having wound down the tempo of the preceding movement using the tonal possibilities of Brahms's instrumentation to reflect a decidedly autumnal sunset, Furtw?ñngler allows the music to emerge as though from darkest night with the Finale's horn-call resounding with all the warmth and reassurance of a shaft of morning sun breaking through the mists.