Schumann Symphony n.1 “Spring” – 1st mov. [analysis]

Introduction

Schumann began writing the first ideas for his first Symphony in January 1841, precisely from 23 to 26. It seems that he completed the work entirely by the end of the following month.

On March 31st of the same year, the symphony was premiered under the baton of none other than Felix Mendelssohn in Leipzig, during a benefit concert for the Gewandhaus Orchestra. The same concert marked the return to the stage of Clara Schumann, who after her marriage to Schumann had had to temporarily put on hold her concert career. 

Clara Schumann in 1853

Schumann Symphony n.1 “Spring”: an analysis of the 1st movement

Exposition

Andante un poco maestoso

In case you don’t have it at hand, here’s a quick link to the score.

Here’s an interesting fact: the famous opening figure with horns and trumpets was written this way