Walk through the Pastoral

Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony features five movements inspired by the composer’s walks in the Vienna countryside. The composer famously said he intended the symphony to be “More the expression of feeling than tone painting” – that is, he wanted audiences to experience the sensations of a woodland walk. Scroll through and preview them with us. We’re touring Beethoven’s Pastoral this November.

Movement 1 is titled Awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside. It’s earned a major place in pop culture as a symbol of idyllic nature.

Image: Beethoven and Nature, an oil painting by N.C. Wyeth created in 1921 as part of a promotional campaign for Steinway & Sons pianos.

Movement 2 begins with a motif imitating flowing water. Towards the end, listen out for the woodwinds imitating bird calls. Beethoven even identified the specific birds on the score. The nightingale is represented by the flute, the quail by an oboe, and the cuckoo by two clarinets.

Image: Winding Brook by Egon Schiele, Vienna, 1906

Movement 3 is A depiction of country folk dancing and reveling, or, A joyful gathering of villagers. Beethoven intended to imitate elements of a village band – and towards the end of the movement, the orchestra plays loud and fast, as the country folk scatter before the impending storm.

Image: Early Spring in the Vienna Woods by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, 1861

In the fourth movement, the storm arrives. Beethoven uses piercing piccolos, trombones, and rolling timpani to simulate howling winds, heavy rain, and thunderclaps.

Image: Landscape with a Thunderstorm Brewing, Willem Roelofs, 1850

After the fourth movement, there’s a gentle transition to the fifth, Shepherd’s Song: Happy and Thankful Feelings After The Storm. It’s joyful, peaceful, and full of gratitude – a beautiful resolution following the thunderstorm’s drama.

Image: The Lonely Master - Beethoven on a Walk near Vienna by Otto Nowak, 1908