Robert Schumann

Symphony No. 2 in C, Op. 61

Robert Schumann's (1810-1856) Symphony No. 2 in C, Op. 61 was sketched quickly in 1845, but depression and ringing in his hears prevented Schumann from completing the orchestration until later in 1846. While the work was published as his second symphony, it was actually the third he had written. The premiere took place on November 5, 1846, at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Felix Mendelssohn conducting, but the work was not well received. In an uncommon move, Mendelssohn agreed to a second performance only two weeks later after Schumann made heavy changes to the orchestration, including the addition of trombones. This second performance of the revised symphony proved much more successful. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.2.3.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).