Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op. 38 “Spring”

Quick Facts

• Written in 1841
• Premiered in 1841 at the Leipzig Gewandhaus, conducted by Felix Mendelssohn
• Four movements
• Dedicated to Frederick August II of Saxony¹

About the Piece

• Symphony No. 1 was inspired by Adolf Böttger’s “Spring Poem.” Consequently, the work lies midway between absolute and programme music.²
  • “O turn, O turn and change your course—In the valley spring blooms forth!”
• Schumann’s original manuscript had the following titles for each movement, which were removed for publication:
  1. The Beginning of Spring
  2. Evening
  3. Merry Playmates
  4. Spring in Full Bloom
• Interestingly, given the title “Spring,” this symphony was composed in the dead of winter in January and February of 1841.
• Fun fact – in a burst of creative energy, Schumann completed this symphony within the span of one month.³
• This period may have been the happiest time in Schumann’s life. After years of pursuing marriage with his great love, Clara Schumann, the two were finally wed in September 1840. The event led to a burst of joy and creative fervor for the composer.

1. “Symphony No.1, Op.38 (Schumann, Robert),” IMSLP, accessed July 12, 2023, https://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.1%2C_Op.38_(Schumann%2C_Robert).
2. John Daverio and Eric Sams, “Schumann, Robert,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed July 12, 2023, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000040704.
3. Grant Hiroshima, “Symphony No. 1, in B-flat major, Op. 38, ‘Spring,'” L. A. Phil, accessed July 12, 2023, https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/3909/symphony-no-1-in-b-flat-major-op-38-spring.