| Symphony No. 4 | |
|---|---|
| byAntonín Dvořák | |
 Dvořák in 1879 | |
| Key | D minor |
| Catalogue | B. 41 |
| Opus | 13 |
| Composed | 1874 (1874) |
| Published | 1912 (1912) |
| Movements | 4 |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 25 May 1874 (1874-05-25) |
| Location | Prague |
| Conductor | Bedřich Smetana |
TheSymphony No. 4 inD minor,Op. 13,B. 41, is a classical composition byAntonín Dvořák composed in 1874.
Dvořák composed his fourth symphony between January and March 1874. It shows an influence of Wagner in its themes' development, and even in its thematic material, i.e. principal theme of the second movement is a near-quotation fromTannhäuser, and the Trio section of the third movement includes a vivid reminder of a passage from the overture ofDie Meistersinger von Nürnberg. The influence of Brahms could also be heard. Both influences will pervade many of his subsequent works. Despite these and other influences, Dvořák here shows true mastery in the formal aspects of his composition and also displays some of his original and even unique musical characteristics, which he will develop further in his future works. A portion of the scherzo was reused in the marchIn Troublous Times from his set of piano duetsFrom the Bohemian Forest.
The first performance took place on 25 May 1874 at the concert of theAcademy Readers' Society in Prague, and was conducted byBedřich Smetana. The composer revised the symphony at the end of 1887 and beginning of 1888.[1] The first (posthumous) edition of the symphony was published in 1912, and it is probable that this edition differs considerably from the 1874 original.[1]
| External audio | |
|---|---|
| Performed by theBerlin Philharmonic underRafael Kubelík | |
 I. Allegro | |
| II. Andante sostenuto e molto cantabile | |
| III. Scherzo (Allegro feroce) | |
| IV. Finale (Allegro con brio) |
The work consists of four movements:
It is possible that the third movement of the symphony was initially an independent composition, completed before the other movements and added subsequently.[2] The earlierneo-romantic atmosphere of his earlier symphonies is still present, but as a whole, the composition already bears the hallmark of Dvořák's artistic individuality.[1] A typical performance of the work lasts about forty minutes. The 4th movement’s key signature changes to D major, in which key the symphony also ends.
The work is scored for anorchestra of twoflutes (both doublingpiccolo), twooboes, twoclarinets, twobassoons, fourhorns, twotrumpets, threetrombones,timpani,bass drum,triangle,cymbals,harp, andstrings.
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