Symphony No. 2 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36, is a symphony in four parts written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1801 and 1802. The work is dedicated to Karl Alois, Prince Lichnowsky.
| No. 2 | |
| by Ludwig van Beethoven | |
 Portrait of the composer in 1803, the year of the symphony's premiere | |
| Opus | 36 |
|---|---|
| Style | Classical period |
| Composed | 1801–1802 |
| Dedication | Karl Alois, Prince Lichnowsky |
| Performed | 5 April 1803: Vienna |
| Movements | Four |
Background
The work was first shown in the Theater an der Wien in Vienna on 5 April 1803, and was led by Beethoven. During that same event, the Third Piano Concerto and Christ on the Mount of Olives were also shown for the firing time.[1]
Beethoven wrote the Second Symphony without a minuet; there is a scherzo in its place.[2]
Instrumentation
The symphony is made for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets in A, two bassoons, two horns in D, E and A, two trumpets in D (first, third and fourth movements only), timpani (first, third and fourth movements only) and strings.
Form
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This symphony has four movements or parts:
- Adagio molto, Unable to parse music symbol time – Allegro con brio, Unable to parse music symbol time (D major)
- Larghetto, Unable to parse music symbol time (A major)
- Scherzo: Allegro, Unable to parse music symbol time (D major)
- Allegro molto, Unable to parse music symbol time (D major)
The work is 30 to 37 minutes long.
References
Citations
Sources
- Grove, George C. B. (1962). Beethoven and His Nine Symphonies (3rd ed.). New York: Dover Publications.
- Steinberg, Michael (1998). The Concerto: A Listener's Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
External links
- Complete performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra (interview only)
- [[scores:{{{id}}}|Symphony No. 2]]: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- A visual analysis of the 2nd Symphony