Pieces › Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 “Pastoral”

I. Awakening of cheerful feelings on arriving in the country. Allegro ma non troppo

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1808 · F major · 512 bars · 309 chords analysed

Five movements with titles: scenes by a brook, a peasants' dance, a thunderstorm and a shepherds' song of thanks.

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, B♭ major, D major, G major, E major, A major.