Brahms Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98

The Symphony no. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 by Johannes Brahms is the last of his symphonies. Completed in 1885, the piece was first premiered for a private audience in a two-piano version. The symphony is rich in allusions, most notably to various Beethoven compositions. This last movement is notable as a rare example of a symphonic passacaglia: for the repeating theme, Brahms adapted the chaconne theme in the closing movement of J.S. Bach's cantata, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, BWV 150. This symphony in four movements is scored for two flutes (one doubling on piccolo), two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, timpani, triangle (third movement only), and strings.