Overview
Introduction
The Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 by Johannes Brahms is the last of his symphonies. Brahms began working on the piece in Mürzzuschlag, then in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in 1884, just a year after completing his Symphony No. 3. It was premiered on October 25, 1885 in Meiningen, Germany.
Instrumentation
The symphony is scored for two flutes (one doubling on piccolo), two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, contrabassoon (third and fourth movements), four horns, two trumpets, three trombones (fourth movement only), timpani, triangle (third movement only), and strings.
Movements
The symphony is divided into four movements with the following tempo markings:
- Allegro non troppo (E minor)
- Andante moderato (E minor – E major)
- Allegro giocoso (C major)
- Allegro energico e passionato (E minor)
Among the four symphonies by Brahms this is the only one ending in a minor key. A typical performance lasts about 40 minutes.
