Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) composed his last symphony in two phases: two movements in each of the summers he spent in Mürzzuschlag in 1884 and 1885. He completed the work in September of the second year.

This Symphony in E minor is Brahms's longest and also the one with the strongest historical references. It was his last work in the genre and ends his extraordinary series of four strongly contrasting symphonies. He had said everything that the form permitted him to express.

Jukka-Pekka Saraste has established himself as one of the outstanding conductors of his generation, demonstrating remarkable musical depth and integrity. Born in Heinola, Finland, he began his career as a violinist before training as a conductor with Jorma Panula at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Saraste has served as Chief Conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne since 2010. In April 2015 he extended his contract until the 2018/2019 season.

In the more than sixty years of its existence, the WDR Symphony Orchestra of Cologne has established itself as one of the most important European radio orchestras. Stylistic versatility is the special trademark of the WDR Symphony Orchestra.