Symphony no. 4 (B-flat major) op. 60
Listening samples
Dedication
Composition
1806
The Fourth Symphony has always been outshone by the great heroic symphonies, such as the Third (the 'Eroica') and the Fifth (the 'Fate' symphony), and by the Sixth Symphony (the 'Pastorale'). This is not quite fair, as a reviewer for the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung concluded in 1812, who called the symphony a clear and straightforward piece characterised by the ingenuity and energy typical of Beethoven's earlier works.
The Fourth was probably played for the first time during a private concert at the home of Prince Lobkowitz. The programme included the first three Beethoven symphonies as well as a fourth one never heard before, as the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung announced on 18 March 1807. One year later Beethoven dedicated the symphony to Franz Joachim, Imperial Count of Oppersdorff (1778-1818), whom he had met on a journey with Prince Lichnowsky at the prince's castle in Grätz near Troppau. Oppersdorff lived in Oberglogau, not far from Lichnowsky, and had his own professional orchestra. The count was a passionate musician, and Beethoven intended to dedicate the Fifth Symphony to him. According to the customs of that time, dedications did not come free of charge. Besides his name being mentioned on the title page, the buyer also obtained all rights for a certain length of time (usually six months). In exchange, the composer received a sum agreed upon by both parties. In early 1808 Oppersdorff made several advance payments for the dedication. When Beethoven then sold the symphony to Prince Lobkowitz (out of financial distress, as he apologetically explained to Oppersdorff in a letter of 1 November 1808), he offered the Prince the Fourth Symphony instead. (J.R.)
The Fourth was probably played for the first time during a private concert at the home of Prince Lobkowitz. The programme included the first three Beethoven symphonies as well as a fourth one never heard before, as the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung announced on 18 March 1807. One year later Beethoven dedicated the symphony to Franz Joachim, Imperial Count of Oppersdorff (1778-1818), whom he had met on a journey with Prince Lichnowsky at the prince's castle in Grätz near Troppau. Oppersdorff lived in Oberglogau, not far from Lichnowsky, and had his own professional orchestra. The count was a passionate musician, and Beethoven intended to dedicate the Fifth Symphony to him. According to the customs of that time, dedications did not come free of charge. Besides his name being mentioned on the title page, the buyer also obtained all rights for a certain length of time (usually six months). In exchange, the composer received a sum agreed upon by both parties. In early 1808 Oppersdorff made several advance payments for the dedication. When Beethoven then sold the symphony to Prince Lobkowitz (out of financial distress, as he apologetically explained to Oppersdorff in a letter of 1 November 1808), he offered the Prince the Fourth Symphony instead. (J.R.)
