Pieces › Ludwig van Beethoven

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

III. Merry gathering of country folk. Allegro

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1808 · D major · 266 bars · 180 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: D major, C major, F major, D minor.