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Symphony No. 1, Op, 21, C Major
Sym No. 1, movement 1Beethoven's first symphony premiered in Vienna, Austria. The piece begins on a dissonant chord (though this symphony is considered one of the tamest of his symphonies.) The audience was used to hearing the clean, clear sounds of classical music and must have been floored with how this one began! -
Symphony No. 2, Op. 36, D Major
Symphony No. 2 Movement 3Although the exact premier of his second symphony is not known, it did premier in 1802. It took him three years to complete. During this time, Beethoven started losing his hearing. Battling bouts of depression, some believe the sunny, happy nature of this symphony depicts him trying to move past the issue and remain optimistic. Others, however, think of it as a farce of his actual dark thoughts about his own future. -
Symphony No. 3, Op. 55, E-flat Major
Erocia symphony, movement 3Here we have Beethoven's "Eroica" symphony. It was not widely accepted by audiences. Some called it Beethoven's finest work, others didn't understand the ideas and didn't find it a very orginal work. -
Symphony No. 4, Op. 60, B-flat Major
Symphony 4 2nd movementBeethoven's fourth symphony is considered one of his lightest symphonies. He was working on the 5th symphony as a commission for a Sicilian Count, but set it aside for unkonwn reasons. Perhaps the 5th symphony was too dark and dramatic for a count? -
Symphony No. 5, Op. 67, C Minor, Symphonie No. 6, Op. 68, F Major
Symphony No. 5 1st movementHis famous 5th symphony (which anyone would recognize the key motive!) is very dark and dramatic, with repeated patterns layered in all movements. He premiered both the 5th and the 6th symphonies at the same concert. The 6th symphony, or "Pastoral" symphony, is an example of early progrommatic music. It is written with the idea of letting go of city life and living in the peaceful country. It remains a very popular symphony today, with it's pleasant melodies and clean texture. -
Symphony No. 7, Op. 92, A Major
Symphony No. 7 2nd movementCompleted in 1812 but premiered in 1813, his seventh symphony is considered by many to be a symphony of dance. The second movement is the most haunting and liked. -
Symphony No. 8, Op. 93, F Major
Symphony 8 movement 1Written in 1812 but not premiered until two years later, Beethoven's 8th symphony is his shortest at roughly 26 minutes long. He wrote this when he was 42 years old, an 'old man' in those days. -
Symphony No. 9, Op. 125, D Minor
Symphony No. 9, movement 4Arguably Beethoven's most famous symphony, this is a monster of a composition. It was the first ever symphony to use the human voice on the same level as the instruments. The "An die Freude" or "Ode to Joy" portion of this symphony is recognizable everywhere. Beethoven was completely deaf when he composed this glorious end to his symphonic writing.
