Triumphlied

Due to its patriotic message bound to the zeitgeist of the Unification of Germany, the Triumphlied lost popularity after World War I, despite its musical quality.

Originally Brahms, who admired Otto von Bismarck, had intended to dedicate the work to both the emperor and the chancellor exalting the "victory of German arms".

The orchestra includes 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 1 contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpanis and strings.

The main theme of the first movement is a motivic echo of "Heil dir im Siegerkranz", the unofficial national anthem of the German Empire.

The premiere of the first part took place on 7 April 1871 on the occasion of the Good Friday concert "In Memory of those who fell in Battle" in the cathedral of Bremen.

Title page of the score, published by N. Simrock
Beginning of the introduction, quoting the beginning of " Heil dir im Siegerkranz "