Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98

Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 is his final symphony, composed in 1884 – 1885. Brahms began working on it in the summer of 1884 at Mürzzuschlag, completing it in time for its premiere on October 25, 1885, in Meiningen, Germany, conducted by Hans von Bülow with the Meiningen Court Orchestra. The orchestral colors in the second movement are unique among Brahms’s symphonies, revealing influences from Wagner and foreshadowing later composers like Mahler and Ravel. The entire work typically lasts about 40 minutes.
 
Brahms’ Fourth is the only one of his symphonies to end in a minor key, specifically E minor. This was highly unusual for symphonies of the Romantic era, which typically resolved in a major key, and contributes to the work’s reputation as his darkest and most tragic symphony. The symphony is noted for its complex emotional landscape, blending melancholy and joy, severity and rhapsody, solemnity and exhilaration. This duality is woven throughout the movements, creating a sense of “mystical transcendence” and emotional depth. The Symphony is technically sophisticated, with intricate counterpoint and motivic transformation. Brahms pushes the rhythmic language of the Romantic era to new heights of complexity, including passages so rhythmically layered that they have been compared to the innovations in Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” 
 
The orchestra scoring includes woodwinds (2 flutes and 2nd doubling piccolo in the 3rd movement, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon in the 3rd and 4th movements); brass (4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones in the 4th movement only); percussion (timpani - 2 in movements 1 and 2; 3 in 3 and 4, and triangle in the 3rd movement only); and strings. The symphony has four movements:
 
First Movement (Allegro non troppo, E minor):
The first movement follows the sonata-allegro form, introducing two main contrasting themes. The first theme is typically dramatic and forceful, setting a somber and intense mood, while the second theme is more lyrical and expressive, providing emotional contrast. These themes are developed and intertwined throughout the movement, showcasing Brahms’ mastery of motivic transformation and emotional depth.
 
Second Movement (Andante moderato, E major):
The second movement offers a lyrical and contemplative respite from the intensity of the first. It is structured in a theme-and-variations form. The main theme is serene and noble, often featuring rich orchestral colours and a sense of nostalgia or longing. A contrasting middle section introduces new material or mood before the return of the initial theme, deepening the emotional palette.
 
Third Movement (Allegro giocoso, C major):
The third movement is a vigorous scherzo, replacing the traditional minuet with a more energetic and playful character. It features lively, dance-like rhythms and exuberant themes, injecting vitality and humor into the symphony. This movement stands out for its rhythmic drive and the rare use of percussion (triangle), creating a festive and buoyant atmosphere.
 
Fourth Movement (Allegro energico e passionato, E minor):
The finale is a monumental passacaglia, built on a repeating bass theme. Brahms crafts 32 variations on this theme, exploring a wide range of moods and orchestral colors. The movement’s main theme is solemn and noble, inspired by Baroque models, and the variations range from lyrical to dramatic, culminating in a powerful and tragic conclusion. This movement is unique for its structural rigor and emotional intensity, bringing the symphony to a profound close. This movement is widely regarded as one of the most original and powerful symphonic finales ever written.
 
The work was initially considered complex and difficult but has since become a staple of the orchestral repertoire. Brahms himself was a meticulous self-critic, and he initially kept parts of the symphony secret, playing it in piano four-hands version for close friends before its orchestral premiere. Many critics view Symphony No. 4 as the summation of Brahms’s symphonic achievements, encapsulating his lifelong obsessions with unity, clarity, balance, and proportion. The symphony’s autumnal character and sense of finality reflect Brahms’s mature artistic voice. Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98, stands as a monumental work in the Romantic symphonic tradition, combining classical forms with deep emotional expression and technical mastery. 
 
References
(2025, May 12). Symphony No. 4 (Brahms). In Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._4_(Brahms)
 
Frisch, W. (1993, April 30). Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 (1885). American Symphony Orchestra.
 
Swafford, J. (2020, December). Symphony No. 4, Johannes Brahms. Boston Symphony Orchestra.
 
Woods, K. (2013, April 28). Explore the Score – Brahms Symphony No. 4 in E minor. Kenneth Woods.