Symphony Listening Program - Tchaikovsky

What

Symphony Listening Program - Tchaikovsky

When

12/15/2025

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) 

Composition: Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op 68 “Pastoral” 

1. Allegro non troppo 

Recording: NAXOS 8.550179 

Day 1: This week’s feature composer is Ludwig van Beethoven. The feature composition is the first movement from Symphony No. 6. Beethoven first performed his sixth symphony in the city  of Vienna in December of 1808. He titled it “Pastoral Symphony” as a “Recollection of Country  Life”. In this music, Beethoven wanted to express his feelings about being out in the forests and  meadows. For the first movement, Beethoven wrote flowing melodies that move at tempo that  matches the pace of striding along in the great outdoors. 

Day 2: This week’s feature composer is Ludwig van Beethoven. The feature composition is the first movement from Symphony No. 6. For this first movement of his “Pastoral Symphony”,  Beethoven wrote flowing melodies. To create these smoothly moving themes, Beethoven wrote  melodies that move by step or small skip. He shaped the melodies like waves. Some start high, drop down, and go higher again. Others do just the opposite. Beethoven wanted to express his  memories and feelings of being in the countryside. 

Day 3: This week’s feature composer is Ludwig van Beethoven. The feature composition is the first movement from the Symphony No. 6. Beethoven’s “Pastoral Symphony”, his sixth symphony, expressed how being close to nature made him feel. Beethoven wrote flowing, wave-shaped melodies in this first movement. He chose a tempo that matches the pace of  walking along through woods and meadows. Beethoven was careful about which instruments he  used. Perhaps you can figure out which instruments he decided not to include in this first  movement. 

Day 4: This week’s feature composer is Ludwig van Beethoven. The feature composition is the first movement from Symphony No. 6. Beethoven titled his sixth symphony “Pastoral Symphony” as a “Recollection of Country Life.” He wanted to express how being in the country  made him feel. You may also have noticed that Beethoven did not use percussion or trumpets!  Beethoven knew that using strings and winds would express the smooth melodies he had  composed. 

Day 5: This week’s feature composition is the first movement from Symphony No. 6. Do you remember the name of the composer? (Short pause). If you are thinking of Ludwig van Beethoven, you are correct. Beethoven takes us for a walk in the woods, forest, and meadows.  He shares with us his recollections of a country life, and hopes that we will have our own impressions and memories as we listen.