Note 35 — Chronological Index of Contents. (continued 12)

Its first performance in Vienna produced there a great sensation, as several gratifying reports, accompanied by a costly silver cup with suitable inscription, testify. The Vienna Musical Journal said in a very enthusiastic review, among other things: “It is again a work, that speaks its own master’s praise in elegant language: a pure whole, a thing apart of itself, all of one casting. The introduction, andante C sharp, breathes a cheerful repose which gradually assumes an impassioned character and prepares the hearer for the transition to the allegro, C minor, which, replete with treasures of harmony bears in itself the germ of an imposing effect.... The second theme, Larghetto, A major, is a conglomerate of deep feeling, warm fantasy, and of song replete with sentiment etc.; in this again each note speaks to the heart with irresistible force.... The scherzo, C sharp, opens with a bold freshness of appeal to life and cheerfulness, the sharp rhythms, the unceasing and restless competition of the wind and stringed instruments, the impetuous bursts of tonic power as opposed to the soft clear flowing cantilene of the alternative,—and, all these effected in a manner so original and striking as to defy expression in words.... For the presto finale, the poet of sound appears to have husbanded as much as possible the sum total of his creative powers.... Not one of the numberless beauties were lost upon the hearers, each theme in succession received the merited tribute to his mastery; and indeed the richly fantastic scherzo electreified all so unanimously, that a da capo was imperatively called for.”...