About the work
Johannes Brahms wrote his second symphony in the summer of 1877 on Lake Wörthersee, just a year after his long-gestated first. The premiere under Hans Richter with the Vienna Philharmonic on 30 December 1877 was a great success.
Plot
Four movements of a largely sunny, pastoral character, shaded by darker undertones in the trombones and timpani, ending in a radiant D major finale.
Cultural significance
Often called Brahms's Pastoral, it is considered the brightest of his four symphonies and is a cornerstone of every symphony orchestra's repertoire.