Niels Wilhelm Gade composed his Third and Fourth Symphonies around a pivotal moment in his life, marked by the outbreak of war in 1848, which forced him to return to Denmark from Leipzig. He had been the Director of the Gewandhaus concerts in Leipzig following Mendelssohn's death in 1847. The Third Symphony debuted in Leipzig in December 1847, was well-received, and became part of the orchestra's repertoire. Despite facing compositional challenges, Gade's work was celebrated for its originality, though later critics found it heavily influenced by Mendelssohn.
The Fourth Symphony premiered in Denmark in November 1850 with Gade conducting. This symphony, often considered his masterpiece, also saw performances in various cities and received much acclaim, solidifying Gade's reputation. Gade's ability to overcome the artistic crisis he faced during these years is evident in the more mature style of his Fourth Symphony.
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