Curse of the 4th?

DriveYourCarDownToTheSea · 04-12-2023, 05:02 PM

Much has been made of composers who wrote 9 symphonies only to bite the dust afterwards, starting with Beethoven. It became known as "the Curse of the 9th."

But in my extensive explorations of Classical music, it seems there are at least as many composers who wrote FOUR symphonies, and then bit the dust. Here are some I'm aware of.

Johannes Brahms (the best known of these)
Franz Schmidt
Albert Roussel
Georges Onslow
Étienne Méhul (completed 4, partially completed 1st movement of 5th)
Albéric Magnard

I know I'm missing some, I'll add more later. If you know of any please add them here.

04-12-2023, 05:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
DriveYourCarDownToTheSea AllTheWhileYouChargeAFee Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,186	Curse of the 4th? Much has been made of composers who wrote 9 symphonies only to bite the dust afterwards, starting with Beethoven. It became known as "the Curse of the 9th." But in my extensive explorations of Classical music, it seems there are at least as many composers who wrote *FOUR* symphonies, and then bit the dust. Here are some I'm aware of. Johannes Brahms (the best known of these) Franz Schmidt Albert Roussel Georges Onslow Étienne Méhul (completed 4, partially completed 1st movement of 5th) Albéric Magnard I know I'm missing some, I'll add more later. If you know of any please add them here. __________________ Stop and find a pretty shell for her Beach Boys vs Beatles comparisons begin here Last edited by DriveYourCarDownToTheSea; 04-12-2023 at 07:49 PM.