Symphony no. 6 (F major) op. 68 (Sinfonia pastorale)
Listening samples
Dedication
Composition
Sketched from summer 1807 onwards, possibly with fallback on drafts from 1803-04, mainly composed between early 1808 and September 1808
In his Sixth Symphony, also known as the 'Pastorale', Beethoven followed a long tradition in European art. Since ancient times pastoral life, rural scenes and depictions of nature have been popular and frequent themes in literature, music and the visual arts. As in many of his other works, Beethoven took a path-breaking position in this symphony, renewing a traditional subject and setting standards for future generations.
Beethoven worked very conscientiously and quickly on his Sixth Symphony. Even though he had written some drafts in the summer of 1807, he completed the bulk of the piece between March and August 1808, as can be seen in the so-called 'Pastorale Sketchbook' (London, British Library, Add. Ms. 31 766), which contains drafts for every movement. Beethoven mentioned the work for the first time in a letter of 8 June 1808 to the publishers Breitkopf & Härtel, when he offered them two symphonies at once (opp. 67 and 68). Although the Fifth was already completed in March 1808, the Sixth was probably still unfinished when Beethoven wrote the letter. Nevertheless, he had already begun to write the autograph, completing it no earlier than July or August 1808. On 22 December 1808, the 'Pastorale' was performed for the first time during Beethoven's concert at the Theater an der Wien. (J.R.)
Beethoven worked very conscientiously and quickly on his Sixth Symphony. Even though he had written some drafts in the summer of 1807, he completed the bulk of the piece between March and August 1808, as can be seen in the so-called 'Pastorale Sketchbook' (London, British Library, Add. Ms. 31 766), which contains drafts for every movement. Beethoven mentioned the work for the first time in a letter of 8 June 1808 to the publishers Breitkopf & Härtel, when he offered them two symphonies at once (opp. 67 and 68). Although the Fifth was already completed in March 1808, the Sixth was probably still unfinished when Beethoven wrote the letter. Nevertheless, he had already begun to write the autograph, completing it no earlier than July or August 1808. On 22 December 1808, the 'Pastorale' was performed for the first time during Beethoven's concert at the Theater an der Wien. (J.R.)
