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Classics with NOW: Beethoven, Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral'

Beethoven鈥檚 Symphony No. 6 in F major, also known as the 'Pastoral' Symphony, was composed in 1808 and depicts an. Although composed at the same time as his Fifth Symphony, the two are in stark contrast. The Fifth is fiery and tumultuous, whereas the Sixth is buoyant and idyllic.

The 鈥楶astoral鈥� Symphony is one of the first examples of 鈥榩rogramme music鈥�, depicting rural life. Although an urban composer, living and breathing the city of Vienna, Beethoven had a great love of the countryside and is said to have enjoyed going on walks in the country. Indeed, the symphony opens with cheery and sprightly melody that reflects Beethoven鈥檚 promise of an 'awakening of pleasant feelings upon arriving in the country'.

This Classics with NOW performance took place in Venue Cymru, Llandudno, in 2017, under the baton of conductor Xian Zhang.

42 minutes

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蜜芽传媒 National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales

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