Pieces › Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93

I. Allegro vivace e con brio

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1812 · F major · 374 bars · 309 chords analysed

Short, witty and full of jokes, including a second movement that ticks like a metronome.

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, B♭ major, D minor, D major, G major, C minor, C major, A major, F minor, D♭ major.