In the German-Austrian musical culture of the mid-19th century, two compositional positions emerged. Richard Wagner, in his “music of the future”, fostered new traditions, while Johannes Brahms perceived the “music of the future” as a utopia, and could not accept that the development of pure instrumental music had ended.

The Third Symphony was written at the height of Brahms’ success, at the age of 50. It is a vigorous, passionate work, saturated with personal psychological motives. In it the composer harmoniously embodied and fused the classical and romantic symphonic traditions. The overall drama of the work is truly original; Brahms takes the listener from the disturbing but bright motives of the first movement to the dramatic, sombre finale. The composer dedicated the four-movement symphony to his dear friend, the famous German conductor and pianist Hans von Bülow.

Brahms’ energetic score is performed by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Modestas Pitrėnas.