Pieces › Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21

II. Andante cantabile con moto

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1800 · F major · 196 bars · 235 chords analysed

Beethoven's first symphony teases the ear from the start: it opens on a chord that belongs to the “wrong” key.

Beethoven's nine symphonies (1800–1824) changed what a symphony could be: longer, louder, more dramatic, and finally, in the Ninth, with singers. A symphony is a large work for orchestra, usually in four movements: a dramatic first movement in sonata form, a slow movement, a dance (minuet or scherzo) and a fast finale. With strings, woodwind, brass and timpani all taking part, the harmony is spread across the whole orchestra — the numerals under the score read it all at once.

Keys visited: F major, C major, C minor, D♭ major, F minor.