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Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93

III. Tempo di Menuetto

Ludwig van Beethoven · 1812 · F major · 83 bars · 76 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, C major, C minor.