STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

Brahms 4th
Symphony
An analysis of the 1st movement

Michaela van Blerk

 BAR NUMBER SECTION KEY

1 Exposition: 1st theme E minor

19 Modulation to 2nd theme E minor to B minor

57 2nd theme: 1st period B minor

95 2nd theme: 2nd period B minor to B major

Modulation to
137 Back to E minor
development

145 Development Various keys

246 Recapitulation E minor

394 coda E minor

The First movement of this symphony is in traditional sonata form. One can clearly
make out the three main sections: Exposition, Development, Recapitulation followed
by a coda.