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Symphony No. 4 in B Flat Major (Op. 60), is a symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, written in the summer of 1806.[1] It was premiered in March 1807 at a private concert of the home of Prince Franz Joseph von Lobkowitz. The Coriolan Overture and the fourth piano concerto were premiered in that same concert.[2]
[edit] Background
A portrait of Beethoven in 1804, three years before the premiere of his 4th Symphony.
The work was dedicated to Count Franz von Oppersdorff, a relative of Beethoven's patron, Prince Lichnowsky. The Count met Beethoven when he traveled to Lichnowsky's summer home where Beethoven was staying. Von Oppersdorff listened to Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in D Major, and liked it so much that he offered a great amount of money for Beethoven to compose a new symphony for him. The dedication was made to "the Silesian nobleman Count Franz von Oppersdorf".[3]
[edit] Instrumentation
The symphony is scored for flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B flat, 2 bassoons, 2 horns in B flat and E flat, 2 trumpets in B flat and E flat, timpani and strings.
[edit] Movements
The work is in four movements:
- Adagio – Allegro vivace, 2/2
- Adagio, 3/4 in E flat major
- Allegro vivace, 3/4
- Allegro ma non troppo, 2/4
The sound files are from a performance by the Skidmore College Orchestra.
- ^ Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 Pastorale (Schott), ed. Max Unger, pg. vi
- ^ Steinberg, Michael. "The Symphony: a listeners guide". p. 19-24. Oxford University Press, 1995.
- ^ Paul Netl (1976) Beethoven Handbook. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., p. 262
[edit] External links
