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Beethoven Symphony 4 Program Notes

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60

Sandwiched between the monumental "Eroica" (Symphony No. 3) and the iconic Fifth Symphony, Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major is often lovingly referred to as the "slender Greek maiden" – a phrase famously (though likely apocryphally) attributed to Robert Schumann, contrasting its more classical, genial character with the "Nordic giants" that surround it. But don't let this charming label fool you; the Fourth is a work of immense energy, wit, and subtle genius, a testament to Beethoven's boundless creativity even during a period of intense personal and professional upheaval.

A Moment of Serenity Amidst the Storm

The year 1806, when Beethoven largely composed this symphony, was a complex one for the composer. Still grappling with his increasing deafness, which had led to his Heiligenstadt Testament just a few years prior, he was also embroiled in strained relationships with patrons and in the midst of a prolific period that saw the creation of his Violin Concerto and Piano Concerto No. 4. Interestingly, Beethoven actually set aside work on his powerful Fifth Symphony to fulfill a commission for this sunnier, more outwardly optimistic work.

The commission came from Count Franz von Oppersdorff, a Silesian nobleman who maintained his own private orchestra. Beethoven, who had just had a rather public falling out with another important patron, Prince Karl Lichnowsky (a disagreement that reportedly ended with Beethoven smashing a bust of the Prince and declaring, "Prince, what you are you are

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