Pieces › Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36

IV. Allegro molto

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1802 · A major · 443 bars · 410 chords analysed

Written while Beethoven was coming to terms with his deafness, yet one of his sunniest works.

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: A major, D major, A minor, D minor, E minor, F♯ minor, G major, B minor.