Brahms Symphony Number 2

Finally got around to listening to the last symphony in the Bernstein Brahms Symphony DVD set.  In the short intro, Bernstein notes how Brahms inverts the opening melody later on (much in the same manner he does in the Intermezzo, Opus 118, Nr 2).  Although the Brahms 2nd was the first of his symphonies I got to know (through an LP of Giulini's LAPO recording I bought at The Bay in Market Mall, Calgary in the 1980's), it's the one I seem to like the least.  I like Brahms 3rd the most.  The final movement of the 2nd has always been a favorite of mine though.  What an exciting movement indeed.