All symphonies of Beethoven

[W.A. Mozart]

I will post here all symphonies of Beethoven.

[W.A. Mozart]

Beethoven published his first symphony in 1801, when he was 30 years old.

The symphony is clearly indebted to Beethoven's predecessors, particularly his teacher Joseph Haydn as well as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but nonetheless has characteristics that mark it uniquely as Beethoven's work, notably the frequent use of sforzandi, as well as sudden shifts in tonal centers that were uncommon for traditional symphonic form (particularly in the third movement), and the prominent, more independent use of wind instruments. Sketches for the finale are found among the exercises Beethoven wrote while studying counterpoint under Johann Georg Albrechtsberger in the spring of 1797.

Beethoven originally intended to dedicate the symphony to Elector Maximilian Franz, who had been forced from Bonn by the armies of revolutionary France and was staying in Hetzendorf, just outside Vienna at the time. Beethoven had left the Elector's employ in somewhat acrimonious circumstances in March 1794 and the dedication may have been intended as a peace offering. However, Maximilian Franz died 26 July 1801 and the dedication subsequently went to Baron van Swieten.

The premiere took place on 2 April 1800 at the K.K. Hoftheater nächst der Burg in Vienna. Most sources agree that the concert program also included Beethoven's Septet as well as a symphony by Mozart, but there is some disagreement as to whether the remainder of the program included excerpts from Haydn's oratorio The Creation or from The Seasons and whether Beethoven's own Piano Concerto No. 1 or No. 2 was performed. This concert effectively served to announce Beethoven's talents to Vienna. Holy Roman Emperor Francis II is reported to have attended the premiere and reacted by saying,"There is something revolutionary in that music!".


Performers:
- Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
- Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Beethoven - Op. 21 - Symphony No. 1 in C major (1801):
00:00 I. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio, 4/4 – 2/2
09:25 II. Andante cantabile con moto, 3/8 (in F major)
17:39 III: Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace, 3/4 (in C major)
20:58 IV. Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace, 2/4 (in C major)