Academic Festival Overture

Invited in 1881 to write a “doctoral symphony” or “festal ode” for Breslau University, in return for an honorary doctorate, Brahms wickedly decided he would give them nothing solemn as either of those things. As the universities authorities were no doubt shocked to hear, the Academic Festival Overture is a distinctly cheerful anthology of German student songs to which, with more than a hint of self-parody, Brahms gives the full symphonic treatment. There is an introduction based on the Rakoczi March and other student allusions, then a brass chorale on Wir hatten gebaut ein stattliches Haus, a lyrical surge of string sound on the Landesvater, a rowdy version of the Fuchslied (introduced by bassoons), an intense development, and a broad coda on Gaudeamus igitur.