The composer conducted the orchestra of the National Theater in Prague in the first performance on 2 February 1890, as part of the concert "13. Populäres Konzert der Künstlerressource" (13th popular concert of the artists' resource). After the successful premiere, he conducted the work again on 7 November 1890 in a "Museumskonzert" in Frankfurt and the following year in Cambridge, on the night before his being awarded an honorary doctorate. The symphony was performed several times by the Royal Philharmonic Society during his sixth trip to the United Kingdom.