Jeff Dunn wrote:

>While we're on the symphonies, is there anyone out there like myself who
>prefers the First to the Second?  It seems that everyone likes the Second
>better (or even the Third).  Why?  To me, only the second movement of
>the Second achieves greatness, whereas the First seems more integrated
>and melodically superior.  ...
>
>Should I see a therapist?

No. I love both these symphonies and am loathe to compare them
qualitatively, but in an unguarded moment with some good English beer
hand pumped, I might lean to the First.  Besides what you mentioned,
there is the glorious transition between the second and third movements,
the wonderful "third theme" at the end of the slow movement, the moment
in the finale that so entranced Dorabella when the rather militaristic
theme turns into something sublime, and the hammering brass (repeated
in the Music Makers to grand effect) at the end.

Roger Hecht