Beethoven's symphonies

English name

Ludwig van Beethoven

Life

1770–1827

Country

Germany

Mainly active in

Born in Bonn, active in Vienna

Symphony

9 symphonies

In a line

A composer who left behind works including Symphony No. 9 and the "Moonlight" Sonata

Fun to know

• He originally meant to dedicate No. 3, "Eroica," to Napoleon, but withdrew the dedication when Napoleon declared himself emperor
• Nos. 5 and 6 premiered together at a single Vienna concert on December 22, 1808
• At the premiere of No. 7, the audience demanded that the 2nd movement be played again as an encore

9 symphonies

• Symphony No. 1C major · 1800 · about 25 minFrom the very first chord: "Wait, is that the wrong key?"
• Symphony No. 2D major · 1802 · about 32 minA cheerful piece written in the year his hearing failed
• Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"E-flat major · 1804 · about 48 minThe symphony that scratched out Napoleon's name
• Symphony No. 4B-flat major · 1806 · about 34 minA hidden gem caught between two giants
• Symphony No. 5, "Fate"C minor · 1808 · about 33 minDa-da-da DUM! A symphony built from four notes
• Symphony No. 6, "Pastoral"F major · 1808 · about 39 minA country walk with even the titles written into the score
• Symphony No. 7A major · 1812 · about 37 minWagner called it "the apotheosis of the dance"
• Symphony No. 8F major · 1812 · about 26 min"Because it's so much better than the Seventh"
• Symphony No. 9, "Choral"D minor · 1824 · about 65 minTurning around a composer who couldn't hear the applause