Composed in 1808, Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony is about the power of nature to heal and restore the human spirit.
Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony contains five movements providing five descriptions about nature. Beethoven gave a title to each movement, leaving no doubt that the music was more than an abstract development of musical motifs. In short, the symphony contains musical scenes that can be described in words that go beyond the music itself.
Beethoven’s Sixth was first performed in Vienna on December 22, 1808, during a four-hour concert in a frigidly cold concert hall. The musicians had spent almost no time rehearsing, and their performance was reportedly substandard for a professional orchestra.
But the music has survived more than 200 years, and the public still sees it as a masterpice.
Here is Bernard Haitink, Rest in Peace, to conduct this amazing music for you:
