Part 2, Più Andante, C major

Bars 30 - 37 (Section C)--Over a soft timpani roll and the first entry of the trombones, the horns enter with a suddenly noble and grand presentation of what Brahms called the “alphorn” tune or what others have labeled as the “London chimes” melody.  After a bar, the violins and violas begin to play a shimmering tremolo underneath the tune.  The horns pass the melody between themselves to maintain breath support.  The main characteristic of the melody is its opening descent with prominent short-long rhythm.  The melody is nine bars long, with two longer notes in the second phrase extending it a bar more than expected.
Bars 38 - 46 (Section C)--As the horns reach their cadence, the flutes enter in overlap with their famous presentation of the “alphorn” melody.  Like the horns, they pass it between each other to maintain full breath and tone.  The trombones are largely absent now, but other instruments, such…