Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral"

Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony came it at number 39 on Northwest Public Radio's "50 Favorites" list. It's one of the few pieces he wrote with a programmatic theme. When the 6th symphony was first performed in December of 1808 it went by the title "Recollections of Country Life".

I thought that it might be fun to provide you with a little pictorial journey of our day in the country.

I. "Awakening of cheerful feelings upon arrival in the country:" allegro ma non troppo


II. "Scene at the brook:" andante molto mosso


III. "Happy Gathering of Country Folk." allegro


IV. "Thunderstorm; Storm:" allegro


V. "Shepherds' song; cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm:" allegretto


Listen to an NPR interview about Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony with conductor
Christophe Eschenbach.

The Cycle Begins!

Beginning Monday, November 10th you can hear the entire cycle of Beethoven piano sonatas recorded by
Andras Schiff.
Tune into my morning show on Northwest Public Radio as I focus on one sonata per day throughout the months of November and December.

It's a big deal in the classical music world whenever an artist takes on this fulfulling challenge. Music critic Tom Manoff has been eagerly anticipating Schiff's final recording in the series and you can listen to his review here.

Check out this site to listen to Schiff's lectures about each of the sonatas.

Admittedly apropos of nothing but.....

Van Morrison

or Andras Schiff








You decide!