Symphony No. 8

Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony, composed in 1812 on the heels of the Seventh Symphony, initially baffled audiences, who found it out of character with his “heroic” style beginning with the Third Symphony, “Eroica.” He himself countered that it was “much better” as music, meaning it was not “programmatic” (evoking a story or emotion) and more “absolute” (purely music for music’s sake, without a narrative or program). While still rooted in the Classical style, it showcases an evolution in his compositional style, marked by a more playful and joyful character, innovative rhythmic and structural approaches, and a subtle reimagining of traditional forms.

It is full of exuberance and musical jokes. The 2nd movement is noted for its delicacy and the “metronome-like” motif in the woodwinds; the 3rd movement trio features clarinet and horn solos. The last movement is rapid-fire, with a tender second theme.

Towards the end it veers jarringly into F# minor before returning to its original key of F major, with an emphatic ending.

The Eighth Symphony was written at a time when Beethoven was in poor health, including increasing deafness, and in the middle of a family quarrel with his brother, who decided to marry a woman Beethoven didn’t approve of. It was also the same year he wrote his famous letter of passion, longing, and anguish to the mysterious “Immortal Beloved.” Yet there is no hint of such conflicts in the music.

The first performance of the symphony in 1814 was played by the largest orchestra assembled up to that time to play Beethoven’s music – 18 first violins, 18 second violins, 14 violas, 12 cellos, 7 double basses, and doubled winds!

1. Allegro vivace e con brio (F major)
2. Allegretto scherzando (B♭ major)
3. Tempo di menuetto (F major)
4. Allegro vivace (F major)

The symphony is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B♭, 2 bassoons, 2 horns in F (in B♭ basso for the second movement), 2 trumpets in F, timpani, and strings.

The Wikipedia page for Beethoven’s 8th.