Beethoven Symphony No. 4

Robert Schumann called Beethoven's 4th symphony “a slender Grecian maiden between two Nordic giants.” It's true that the 4th is a much lighter and brighter piece than the 3rd and 5th symphonies that surround it, but its charm, wit, and expressions of pure joy make it one of Beethoven's most enjoyable works, and one the most underrated works in his entire catalogue. This week we'll explore the joy that Beethoven infuses into this symphony, as well as the mysterious introduction that precedes all the fu