Enescu began sketching his Fourth Symphony in 1928, but did not return to it in earnest until after completing the orchestration of his opera Œdipe in 1931.

The first is undated, while the second one, dated 20 October 1934,[3] or possibly 20 December according to Malcolm,[4] also continues the orchestration into the second movement, extending through about the first quarter of it.

[5] The UK premiere was given in London on 29 April 2017 by Samuel Draper conducting the Oberon Symphony Orchestra.

The main cyclic theme, which will recur in each movement at the same pitch and in the same instrument, first appears in the trumpet at rehearsal number 21.

The movement ends inconclusively, with a tremolo in the strings, cymbals, and harp that leads directly into the finale.