Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major, “Romantic,” Op. 104

• Bruckner wrote the first version of symphony between Jan. 2-Nov. 22, 1874.¹
  • Like many of Bruckner’s works, this symphony was subject to multiple rewrites. This one has three distinct versions plus several smaller revisions.
  • Bruckner was very self-critical, and he also frequently received criticism from his colleagues, especially two conductors (and brothers) named Franz Schalk and Joseph Schalk. The Schalk brothers were known to help Bruckner edit his compositions to make them more accessible for listeners. For example, Franz Schalk may have had a hand in writing the 3rd version of this symphony (1888); he edited the published version of 1889. Bruckner interpreters have differed on whether the Schalks were interfering busybodies or helpful collaborators.
• Bruckner approved of the symphony’s nickname, Romantisch (Romantic).² According to Bruckner’s Grove article, the nickname may be seen as placing the symphony in the tradition of works like Beethoven’s Eroica. ³ Alternately, it may be a reflection of the grand emotions addressed in the symphony.
• Bruckner wrote, and later withdrew, a narrative program for this symphony.⁴
  • According to Bruckner’s program, the symphony depicts the adventures of Medieval knights. Some images from Bruckner’s loose scenario include the symphony opening with horn calls to awaken the knights; episodes of reflection and prayer; a “rustic love scene” in the slow movement; a hunting scene in the Scherzo.
• The symphony’s first full performance came on Feb. 20, 1881 in Vienna. The Vienna Philharmonic performed what we now know as version 2 of this symphony, under Hans Richter. It was one of Bruckner’s rare critical and popular successes.⁵

An “unusual success.”

Eduard Hanslick, on the 1881 premiere of Bruckner’s 4th Symphony. Hanslick was a powerful Viennese music critic whose writing pitted the traditionalism of Brahms against the progressive romanticism of Wagner–and Wagner’s admirers, like Bruckner. The 4th Symphony must have been a great success for even Hanslick to offer grudging admiration.⁶

1. [ Paul Hawkshaw and Timothy L. Jackson, “Bruckner, (Joseph) Anton,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed February 18, 2021,  https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000040030.
2.  Betsy Schwarm, “Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major,” Encyclopedia Britannica (April 2, 2014), accessed February 18, 2021, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Symphony-No-4-in-E-flat-Major. 
3.  Paul Hawkshaw and Timothy L. Jackson, “Bruckner, (Joseph) Anton,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed February 18, 2021,  https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000040030.
4.  M. Ross, “Anton Bruckner (1824-1896): Symphony No 4,” Hyperion (2011), accessed February 19, 2021, https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_SIGCD256. 
5. Ibid.
6. Quoted in Ibid.