Symphony No. 4 (Harbison)

John Harbison's Symphony No. 4 is a large-scale orchestral work commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in celebration of its centenary. It premiered in 1999, conducted by Seiji Ozawa. The symphony is notable for its expressive depth and its incorporation of diverse musical styles, reflecting Harbison's eclectic compositional approach. It is typically described as being in four movements, although their character and relationship to one another deviate from traditional symphonic structures. The work explores themes of memory, loss, and spiritual searching, often employing complex harmonic language and rhythmic interplay. Critical reception has generally been positive, with reviewers praising its originality and emotional impact, though some have noted its challenging and demanding nature for both performers and listeners. Its duration is approximately 30 minutes.