Pieces › Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 4 in B♭ major, Op. 60

II. Adagio

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1806 · E♭ major · 104 bars · 113 chords analysed

A slow, mysterious introduction in B♭ minor opens onto one of Beethoven's most cheerful movements.

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: E♭ major, B♭ major, B♭ minor.