Critics of the time were in agreement about Beethoven’s fourth symphony, calling it »cheerful, clear and captivating«.  The work impresses with classical clarity and is admired by romantics. Robert Schumann characterised the master’s fourth symphony as »a slender Greek maiden between two Norse giants«. Nevertheless, it still remains somewhat in the shadow of the heroic symphonies no. 3 and 5. Wrongly so, as a critic of the »Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung« noted in 1812. Symphony no. 4 is »a work upon which the composer has bestowed all the originality and energy shown by the earlier productions of his muse, without marring its clarity with bizarreries (...)«. 

With »BEEEEEEEEEthoven!« you can enjoy all nine of Beethoven’s symphonies as a cycle spaced over two seasons: The season 2024/25 will see the performance of the first four symphonies, the following season will comprise another four, culminating in the grand finale of his 9th symphony as Philharmonic Concert.

Make sure you don't miss out on the Beethoven cycle for the season 2024/25 with our General Music Director Mino Marani. Subscribe for EUR 48 and save 35% compared to individual tickets. Find more information here.