The Variations on a Theme of Haydn by Johannes Brahms was good, the Suite from The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was excellent , but the Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2 was fantastic. His second symphony was composed by Brahms, the German compser,  during a visit to Austria during the summer of 1877. The composition was short compared to the reported fifteen years it took Brahms to complete his First Symphony. The second symphony was scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, and a strings section. The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra is 70+ in size and performed the symphony with great aplomb. It was the best orchestral sound I can recall hearing from the RSO in the three decades I have been listening to them. Maestro Steichen was masterful and articulated every detail of the Brahams composition. We are fortunate to have such a great orchestra in our community.
Brahms was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1833, 42 years after Mozart had passed away. He lived to be 64, much longer than normal at the time, and he was interred next to Beethoven and Schubert, two composers he greatly admired. I find it interesting that Brahms met with Wagner in Vienna and they listened to each others music. Among his works were the Hungarian Dances, four symponies, a half-dozen great piano sonatas, including the Ave Maria. I love music of all kinds, but on Sundays I listen only to classical music. I am grateful for Pandora which lets me select from so many excellent streaming channels. Today I listed to Boston Baroque.