Symphony No. 4 (Bruckner)

The Fourth Symphony in E flat major (WAB 104), nicknamed The Romantic is next to the Seventh probably the most popular Symphony of Anton Bruckner. The first version was created in 1874. The second edition of 1878 contains a completely newly composed Scherzo. In the years 1879/80 and revised Bruckner again in the final. The highly successful first performance took place on 20 February 1881 in Vienna with the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Hans Richter instead.

The orchestra has 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets ( in B), 2 bassoons, 4 horns ( in F), 3 trumpets ( in F), 3 trombones ( alto, tenor, bass), one bass tuba, timpani ( It, B) strings on the common occupation. The above-mentioned epithet is, inter alia, arose because the symphony contains many pithy horn parts.

Duration: about 66 min

About the Music

1st movement: moving, too fast (in E flat major, alla breve )

All four movements of the symphony are created in the form of the sonata. The first topic begins with a four-time horn-call on a typical Bruckner Tremolo Strings in E-flat major. For the second topic Bruckner wrote in 1890 in a letter: " ... in the singing period is the topic: the song of the great tit Zizipe. "

2nd movement: Andante quasi allegretto ( C minor, 4/4 )

In the second funeral march -like movement is the first theme, which begins as the horn theme of the first movement with the ab and ascending fifth, initially entrusted to the cello. Later, a string chorale follows. In the letter mentioned above Bruckner described this set as " song, Gebeth, serenade "; rather amusing instead of enlightening he has friends over he commented as follows: " In the second set will go a lovesick boy fensterln, but will not be admitted. "

3rd movement: Scherzo: Moves (B- flat major, 2/4 ) - Trio: Not too fast, not slow ( G flat major, 3/ 4)

The Scherzo of the original version was replaced by Bruckner in the second revised version of 1878 /80 a new composition. In this form it is known dominated by music reminiscent of hunting horns and trumpet signals. Here, too, shows a preference for the horns sound, probably, as mentioned, has contributed significantly to the nickname of the symphony. In addition, the trio wears ländler character.

4th movement: Finale: moving, but not too fast ( E flat major, alla breve )

The final turn lives on a dramatic mood and brings you to large-scale circuit increase the main theme of the first movement in full plate.