Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80 (Akademische Festouverture)

Description

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) composed the ACADEMIC FESTIVAL OVERTURE (AKADEMISCHE FESTOUVERTURE), Op. 80, during the summer of 1880 as a tribute to the University of Breslau for conferring on him an honorary doctorate of philosophy. Known for his love of irony, Brahms based this overture on a number of familiar melodies resulting in what he called a "very boisterous potpourri of student songs." Included is: 1. Wir hatten gebauet ein stattliches Haus; 2. Fuchsenritt, also titled Was kommt dort von der H�h ("What Comes There from on Yonder?"), sung by upperclassmen to chide first year students; 3. a German patriotic song titled Wir hatten gebauet ein stattliches Haus ("We have built this stately house"); 4. a triumphant finale on Gaudeamus igitur ("So Let Us Rejoice") that was commonly performed at many European high school and university graduation ceremonies. The premiere took place on January 4, 1881, by the Breslauer Orchesterverein, Brahms conducting in the Saal des Konzerthauses in Breslau. Instrumentation: 2+1(Picc).2.2.2+1(Ctrbsn): 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(2-3): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).