Beethoven had a great fondness for the Eighth Symphony, which he called, “my little Symphony in F” as a way of distinguishing it from the longer Sixth (“Pastoral”) Symphony, set in the same key. When his student, Carl Czerny asked why the Seventh was more popular, Beethoven replied, “because the Eighth is so much better.” The response must have been tongue-in-cheek. Yet there’s a spirited sense of daring in the Eighth Symphony that makes it a uniquely thrilling ride.
It’s filled with crazy humor- perhaps a nostalgic look back at the jokes of Haydn. At the same time, it pushes forward into inventive, new formal territory.
Listen to what Leonard Bernstein has to say about the piece and make your way to the concert this coming Saturday at the Odeion School of Music OSM, UFS to hear it for yourself!
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