This week, I’ve chosen Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture, a piece with which I know I have some previous familiarity, but which I chose for two particular reasons. The first is that, in studying the Tragic Overture a few weeks ago, I learned in my research that Brahms wrote but two overtures, so I thought it would be interesting to compare the two, and to be able to say I knew both. Additionally, with graduation season fast upon us, it seemed a fitting tribute to investigate this piece a bit further.
Initial Impressions
Ponder Points
On my first listening, I detected the “Gaudeamus igitur” theme toward the conclusion. I’ve never really known what that song was, except for its association with The Student Prince. I guess there must be a longer history to the song, if Brahms knew of and used it.