Anton Bruckner first wrote his E-flat major symphony in November of 1874. He revised this symphony in 1880, just before its first performance in Vienna on February 20, 1881. After another extensive revision, the piece was first published in September of 1889 by Albert J. Gutmann's publishing company. .
The first movement of Bruckner's 4th is in sonata form. The exposition is from the beginning of the piece to m. 192. The development section is from m. 193 to m. 364. Finally, the recapitulation is from m. 365 to the end of the piece, which includes a coda from m. 533 to the end.
The exposition can be split into 2 subjects and a closing section. In the opening subject the strings outline an E-flat major triad while what appears to be one of the main themes of the piece is played by the French horn. This statement of the theme lasts from m. 3 to m. 18. This statement is then expanded and repeated from m. 19 to m. 50 to make up the second half of the first part of the opening subject. The restatement of the theme begins with an E-flat major but moves through C minor and A major. This suggests that the method of expansion may be a circle of 3rds progression. The second half of the opening subject is marked by both the first rehearsal letter (A) and the sudden change in volume of the piece. This is due not only to the dynamic markings, but to the fact that it is a sudden tutti section of the piece. This section, which is mainly further variations of the opening theme carried through other tonal areas, also begins in E-flat major and lasts from m. 51 to m. 74.
The second subject of the exposition begins on m. 75 and can be split up into 3 sections with a sort of coda section at the end. The first section (a) of the second subject lasts from m. 75 to m. 82. The beginning of this new section can be detected by the rehearsal letter (B) and by the introduction of a new theme which is heard in the string section.