Faced with the daunting legacy of Beethoven's symphonic works, Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) took twenty years to shape his first symphony — a masterpiece that premiered in 1876 to great critical acclaim. The expansive Symphony No. 1 in C Minor perfectly displays Brahms's ability to organize a variety of moods into a coherent whole. The dramatic tension and somber coloring of the first movement are balanced by two central movements of charming lyrical relief; and the finale, with its grand main theme and famous horn solo (inspired by a shepherd's horn call), is considered one of the great movements in the orchestral literature. The symphony is published here in full score, with bar-numbered movements. Ideal for study in the classroom, at home, or in the concert hall, this affordable, high-quality, convenient sized volume will be the edition of choice for music students and music lovers alike.