A Brief History of Beethoven’s Symphonies

Ludwig van Beethoven composed all nine of his symphonies over a period of 25 years from 1799 to 1824. That is not all he composed during that time, but when one considers the sheer brilliance and majesty of the symphonies, it may have been enough. Following is a “Brief History of Beethoven’s Symphonies.”

While most concertgoers and classical music fans are familiar with symphonies 3, 5, and 9, having a real understanding of the man and his music requires a little more in-depth study.

Beethoven Symphony No. 1, Op. 21, C Major

Although Beethoven’s premiere opus sounds very tame when compared with later works, it was written around 1799 when audiences knew only the very constrained classical styles of Haydn and Mozart.

Beethoven’s Symphony #1 is really a continuation of the then popular Viennese symphonic tradition. Even then, Beethoven was a little ahead of his time. Nothing shows that more than the first movement, which begins on a dissonant, chord — something unheard of at the time. The entire symphony can be heard here.

Beethoven Symphony No. 2, Op. 36, D Major

Completed in 1802 Symphony #2, like its predecessor, is classical in style. It’s important to know that at the time, Beethoven’s hearing had started to degrade and some critics have said the sunny nature of this work may have been the result of the composer’s desire to overcome depression brought on by his condition.

Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Op. 55, E flat Major, “Eroica”

Symphony #3, nicknamed “Eroica,” was first performed in 1804. Listening, it is clear that this symphony marks a departure from the strict classical style of 1 and 2. Music critic and historian, Harold Schonberg said, “Musical Vienna was divided on the merits of the Eroica. Some called it Beethoven’s masterpiece. Others said that the work merely illustrated a striving for originality that did not come off.”

Beethoven Symphony No. 4, Op. 60, B flat Major

An interesting aspect of Symphony 4, premiered in 1806, is the fact that it could well have been Symphony #5. Beethoven was, in fact, working on Symphony #5 (obviously, it didn’t have that name) and set it aside to finish a commission from Sicilian Count, Oppersdorff.

Nobody knows for sure why the Count wasn’t presented with what would become Symphony 5. Instead, he got Symphony 4, not nearly as well-known and certainly a much lighter work than the heavy, ponderous Symphony 5.

Beethoven Symphony No. 5, Op. 67, C Minor

People who never listen to classical music recognize Beethoven’s Symphony 5. Mostly that’s because of the four-note motif at the beginning of the first movement. As alluded to earlier, #5 was started, and then stopped so #4 could be composed. Symphony 5 premiered in 1808 in Vienna.

In another interesting twist of fate, when Symphony 5 was first performed it shared the program with Symphony #6, which was also complete at the time. In the concert program, the numbers of the symphonies were accidently switched.

Beethoven Symphony No. 6, Op. 68, F Major, “Pastoral”

Beethoven’s Symphony #6 is also known as the “Pastoral” symphony. In that same concert program — in which the numbers of the symphonies were switched – it was called “Recollections of Country Life.”

At the premiere — in addition to having the wrong subtitle — Symphony 6 suffered from being performed after Symphony 5. Symphony #6 is a perfectly beautiful piece of music, but it is no Symphony #5.

Beethoven Symphony No. 7, Op. 92, A Major

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 was completed in 1812 and premiered Dec. 8, 1813. Most people refer to #7 as a “symphony of dance.” German composer, Richard Wagner described it as “the apotheosis of the dance.” Symphony #7 is probably best known for its second movement, which was often played as an encore to enthusiastic audiences.

Beethoven Symphony No. 8, Op. 93, F Major

Known as “The Little Symphony,” Beethoven’s Symphony #8 is his shortest. The entire symphony lasts just 26 minutes. Beethoven composed this symphony in 1812 at the age of 42. It premiered two years later along with Symphony No. 7.

Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Op. 125, D Minor “Choral”

Beethoven’s last symphony, Symphony No. 9 was completed in 1824. By then the composer was totally deaf. Much is made of the fact that he never heard his greatest masterpiece. None-the-less he conducted the premiere performance.

When the piece was over and the audience began to applaud wildly, Beethoven didn’t realize it. The soprano soloist turned him around to accept the adulation of the crowd.

In the world of classical music, Beethoven’s Symphony #9 stands alone. It requires a full symphony orchestra, soloists, and a grand choir and is one of the most inspiring musical masterpieces of all time.
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