English Commentary by Sergio Cánovas 

Beethoven’s Symphony No.1 was composed between 1799-1800, with sketches going as far as back as 1795 from a scrapped symphony, while he was studying counterpoint under Johann Georg Albrechtsberger in 1797. It was dedicated to Baron Gottfried van Swieten, an early patron of the composer. It was premiered on April 2 of 1800 at the Burgtheater in Vienna. The work was divisive, being criticized by musical critics at the time for being too «eccentric». That concert also effectively served to announce Beethoven’s talent to the city. The symphony is clearly indebted to Beethoven’s predecessors, particularly his teacher Joseph Haydn as well as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Nonetheless, it has characteristics that mark it uniquely as Beethoven’s work, notably the frequent use of sforzandi, as well as sudden shifts in tonal centres that were uncommon for traditional symphonic form. The prominent, more independent use of wind instruments was also uncommon at the time. 

The first movement is structured in sonata form, preceded by an introduction. The slow introduction opens with a seventh chord, avoiding the tonic note until it reaches the C major key. Never had a symphony begun in this way. The allegro starts with a rhythmic and decided main theme on the strings, followed by a more lyrical second presented through solos of the wood. Follows a complete recapitulation of both themes, as it was usual at the time. The development is elaborate and mainly based on the first theme, it explores a long harmonic progression; starting from A major, reaching F♭ major, passing F major at the end. After development’s climax, follows a varied recapitulation of the themes. The coda is strongly based on the main theme, closing the movement with strongly repeated chords played by the whole orchestra. 

The second movement is also structured in sonata form. It begins in a very contained way, the first theme is calm and lyrical while the second one is more nostalgic and dreamy, reaching a climax in its final part. The development shows some darker and pre-romantic nuances with its modulations to Beethoven’s tragic key: C minor. Follows a varied and ornamented recapitulation of both themes. As with the first movement, the coda uses elements of the main theme, concluding peacefully. 

The third movement is titled as a menuetto, however it is so fast and tense that it’s actually a scherzo in ternary form. The composer no longer wrote music for the salons with rococo dances. The main theme is forceful and full of energy, being presented by the strings. After a climax, the trio opens with blissful phrases from the woods, followed by orchestral outbursts. The «menuetto» is fully recapitulated, concluding forcefully. The menuetto would disappear from Beethoven’s symphonies from now on, being replaced by the scherzo. 

The fourth movement is structured in sonata form, being the most influenced by Haydn. Opens with a brief introduction in which, after a massive orchestral outburst, the violins present small fragments of the following material. The main theme is vivacious and energetic, sharing similarities to the main theme of Haydn’s Symphony No.88 fourth movement. In contrast, the second movement is more joyful and playful. Follows a complete recapitulation of the themes. The development presents several modulations and sudden shifts in modulation. After comes a varied recapitulation of the themes. The coda opens as a restatement of the main theme, before turning towards a rushed and intense conclusion of the work. The musical form is in accordance with the established composing tradition of the times. However, Beethoven’s use of musical content, instrumentation as well as tempi is unusual, if not revolutionary, in its use for a symphonic work. Therefore, Beethoven introduced himself with this work uniquely and boldly as an advancing symphonic composer and stood true to this statement throughout his compositional life. Musical analysis partially written by myself. Sources: https://bit.ly/3ifI4AY and https://bit.ly/3rMX4JO To check the score: https://bit.ly/3Rbujlo