Two instances of contrary motion.

[Enrique]

One, charming. The other, imposing. In the opening of Brahms' first symphony, violins and 'cellos move up, higher and higher while woodwinds and violas descend. Great tension is created, while basses and timpani implacably hammer a C, the fundamental tonality of the work.

In the Fifth Symphony, second movement, before the third variation of the main theme, flute, oboe and clarinet execute a passage in imitations and contrary motion, while the rest of the orchestra remains silent. This has infinite grace in my opinion.

As there has been some mentioning of contrary motion in the "contrapunctus" thread of Quijote's, I was reminded of these examples.

[Quijote]

Yes, the opening of that Brahms symphony blew me away when I first heard it. You know, I haven't listened to this symphony for years. I'm too tired to do so right now, but I will.
I'm afraid I can't quite recall the passage you refer to for the LvB 5th, so I'll need to listen to that as well. So much music, so little time; I wish the day had more than 24 hours, I can tell you!

[Sorrano]

Yes, the opening of that Brahms symphony blew me away when I first heard it. You know, I haven't listened to this symphony for years. I'm too tired to do so right now, but I will.
I'm afraid I can't quite recall the passage you refer to for the LvB 5th, so I'll need to listen to that as well. So much music, so little time; I wish the day had more than 24 hours, I can tell you!

The instruments, as I recall, are playing in parallel 3rds against each other. It is a quite nice effect.

Get some rest!

[Enrique]

It begins at measure 131 in my score. I see you know it by heart.

[Sorrano]

It begins at measure 131 in my score. I see you know it by heart.

The movement is a favorite of mine. As well, I've played a piano reduction score, so it is familiar to me.

[Enrique]

I remember, when in my teens, listening to that part in which the oboe(s) imitate the theme with a delay of some beats. I do not know why, it has stuck in my mind (I mean the moment and it was an age of discovery). And then from the deep (3rd mov) the basses and then those corns! How grandiose the horns sound. Dvorak was right when he said he could not hear them without experimenting emotion (sorry my English). I'm having problems with audio in the machine and when I got it back, I looked for the 5th in youtube and played the 3rd movement. That such a mind (and such a heart) had ever existed!

[amorfati131]

I will listen to this again as soon as I have the opportunity. I wanted to point out that the first post originated at 12:16, which is Beethoven's birthday. It was the first post that I clicked to in the forums, because it seemed interesting. Anyway.

[Sorrano]

Welcome to the forum, amorfati131! The symphony is always worth another listen.