A sturdy production by Waldman and four capable soloists (Brooks, Chookasian, Shirley, Giaiotti) still doesn’t turn this into one of Beethoven’s major works.

Presenter: Ludwig van Beethoven was a prolific composer in the classical period. He wrote nine symphonies in total. Symphony number one in C major was his first, written in 1799. It has four ...

Another set of organisational problems emerged from Beethoven’s decision to include two movements from the recently completed Mass in C, the Gloria and Sanctus. Not only did it necessitate ...

In the final movement of each of these works, Beethoven comes upon – or has delivered into his hands – the musical grail he had been seeking. In the Fifth Symphony, it is a simple C major triad.