The Finale to Brahms Symphony No. 4 is written in the form of an 8-bar Baroque-style Passacaglia with thirty variations in a 3/4 meter in the key of E minor. The contrast between the rich, powerful harmonies and rhythms and soft, delicate, transparent musings is almost too much emotional strain for the listener...a purposeful compositional device by the composer. The movement careens like this to an inevitable tragic ending where the powerful and tragic wins out in the end.

This 9-minute magnificent arrangement for advanced performers by Bob Burnham is scored for a 12-part Trombone Choir of 8 Tenor Trombones (top two parts are optional for altos) and 4 Bass Trombones.