Tragic Overture, Op. 81 (Tragische Ouverture) [Alf:36-A135301]

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) composed the TRAGIC OVERTURE (TRAGISCHE OUVERTœRE), OP. 81, in the summer of 1880, the same year that he wrote the Academic Festival Overture. Comparing the two overtures, he explained that "one is laughing, the other is crying." Although it does not follow a specific program, it expresses the turbulence and austerity often associated with tragic feeling. The concert overture premiered on December 26, 1880 in Vienna under the direction of Hans Richter. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set).