Tragic Overture

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The Tragic Overture, op. 81 was an overture for orchestra written by Johannes Brahms during the summer of 1880. Brahms chose the title "Tragic" to emphasize the turbulent, tormented character of the overture in contrast to the mirthful ebullience of a companion piece he wrote the same year, the Academic Festival Overture. Despite its name, the Tragic Overture does not follow any particular dramatic program. Brahms was not very interested in musical storytelling and was more concerned with conveying and eliciting emotional impressions. He summed up the affective difference between the two overtures when he declared "one laughs while the other cries."

The Tragic Overture comprises three main sections, all in the key of D minor.

Allegro ma non troppo
Molto più moderato
Tempo primo ma tranquillo

The work is scored for piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, three trombones, tuba, timpani, and strings. It premiered on December 26, 1880 in Vienna. A typical performance lasts slightly less than fifteen minutes.

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