Brahms conducts the premiere of his Symphony No. 4 at Meiningen

Background. Johannes Brahms was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the mid-Romantic period. His works include four symphonies, with the Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98, being the last. Brahms began working on this piece in Mürzzuschlag in 1884, just a year after completing his Symphony No. 3. He was invited by von Bülow to undertake a premiere of the work with the Meiningen Court Orchestra.

Collaboration with Meiningen. Brahms's collaboration with Meiningen and Hans von Bülow began when he was invited to conduct the Meiningen Court Orchestra. Von Bülow ranked Brahms as one of the 'Three Bs', considering him the greatest composer after Bach and Beethoven. During the von Bülow period, Brahms came to Meiningen to collaborate with the court orchestra and to conduct occasionally.

Reception and Legacy. Richard Strauss, who had been uncertain about Brahms's music, found himself converted by the Third Symphony and was enthusiastic about the Fourth, calling it a 'giant work, great in concept and invention'. Gustav Mahler, who first met Brahms in 1884, remained a close acquaintance. He considered Brahms a conservative master who was more turned toward the past than the future.