This symphony was begun during a dark period in the composer's life, and was only finished with the help of a generous patron. Around the time he began to sketch this symphony, the composer decided to try getting married. This was probably not a very good idea. The marriage was a failure, in part because the composer's sexual proclivities lay elsewhere. With the composer spiraling into depression and attempted suicide, the symphony was understandably put on hold. By the end of the year, however, he had found encouragement from a generous (and wealthy) patron. Although they carried on an active correspondence for several years, the composer never actually met his benefactor, who became the dedicatee of his (finally finished) symphony.