4th Symphony (Bruckner)

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The Fourth Symphony in E flat major ( WAB 104), nicknamed The Romantic, is next to the Seventh the most popular symphony by Anton Bruckner . The first version was written in 1874. The second version from 1878 contains a completely newly composed scherzo. In the years 1879/80 Bruckner revised the final again.

The very successful premiere took place on February 20, 1881 in Vienna with the Vienna Philharmonic under the direction of Hans Richter .

occupation

2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (in Bb), 2 bassoons, 4 horns (in F), 3 trumpets (in F), 3 trombones (alto, tenor, bass), 1 bass tuba, timpani (Eb, Bb), 1st violin , 2nd violin, viola, violoncello, double bass

Performance duration: approx. 66 min.

To the music

1st movement: Moving, not too fast ( E flat major , alla breve )

All four movements of the symphony are laid out in sonata form . The first complex of topics begins with a four-time horn call over a Bruckner-typical string tremolo in E flat major. For the second topic in 1890 wrote Bruckner in a letter: "... in the chant period is the theme of the song of the great tit Zizibee."

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

In the second funeral march-like movement, the first theme, which, like the horn theme of the first movement, begins with the descending and ascending fifth, is initially entrusted to the cello . A string chorale follows later. In the letter mentioned above, Bruckner described this sentence as "song, prayer, serenade"; rather amusing than enlightening, he commented on it to friends: "In the second sentence, a boy in love wants to go through the window, but is not let in."

3rd movement: Scherzo. Moved ( B flat major , 2/4) - Trio: Not too fast, by no means sluggish ( G flat major , 3/4)

The Scherzo of the original version was replaced by a new composition by Bruckner in the revised second version from 1878/80. In this more well-known form, it is dominated by horn and trumpet signals reminiscent of hunting music . Here, too, there is a preference for the sound of the horns, which, as mentioned, contributed significantly to the epithet of the symphony. In addition, the trio has a rural character.

In the introduction to the scherzo, Bruckner quotes the beginning of the first scene of the second act from Tristan und Isolde by Richard Wagner .

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

The finale, in turn, lives from a more dramatic mood and, after a large-scale final increase, brings the main theme of the first movement in full brass .

Discography (selection)

literature

  • Hansjürgen Schaefer: Anton Bruckner: A guide through life and work. Henschel, Berlin 1996.
  • Renate Ulm (Ed.): The Bruckner Symphonies. Origin, interpretation, effect. Bärenreiter, Kassel 2005, ISBN 3-7618-1590-5 .

Web links