Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote his fourth symphony in 1877 and 1878. It was first performed in the latter year conducted by Nikolai Rubenstein. Despite initial critical reaction, the symphony has become a staple of the orchestral repertoire and is one of the most frequently performed late 19th century symphonies. In the exciting finale, Tchaikovsky incorporates a famous Russian folk song, 'In the field stood a birch tree' as one of its themes.
