Dritte Symphonie (F dur) für Groſses Orchester ... Op. 90. Partitur. [Full score]

Berlin: Verlag und Eigenthum für alle Lander von N. Simrock [PN 8454], 1884. Folio. Contemporary flexible black cloth boards. 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 1f. (recto publisher's printed note, verso blank), 5-109, [i] (blank) pp. Title lithographed, with "Lith. Anst. v. C.G. Röder, Leipzig" to foot; music transfer-printed.

With numerous early performance markings including dynamics, expression, and phrasing in blue, red, and gray pencil in an unknown hand.

Binding worn. First Edition, third issue. Deutsch p. 259. Hofmann p. 191. McCorkle p. 372. Sonneck p. 56. The notice on the recto of the second leaf is an abbreviated version of the notice found in copies of both the first and second issues.

"With his Third Symphony op. 90 Brahms achieved a new level of coherence in a large-scale orchestral work. It is the shortest of the four symphonies, lasting only half an hour in most performances. The durations of the individual movements are closer to being equal than in any of the others. The compact dimensions and balanced proportions seem intended to point up processes that extend over the entire work. These include the most direct thematic recall in any symphonic work by Brahms: the opening motto and theme return transfigured at the end of the finale. Coherence is also imparted by harmonic devices, such as the frequent juxtaposition of F major and F minor. The tonal scheme is unique in the genre: outer movements centred on F and inner movements on C, thus creating a plateau of harmonic tension in the dominant that implies a large-scale sonata form over the whole work." George S. Bozarth and Walter Frisch in Grove Music Online.