Symphony No 6: Allegretto

Details

V. “Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm” (“Shepard's song. Happy and thankful feelings after the storm”) from Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 by Ludwig van Beethoven, arranged for two pianos by Greg Anderson / Full score / Difficulty: Intermediate-advanced / Duration: 9 minutes / Pages: 23 / Copyright: 2017 / Work number: 096

Program Notes

The Sixth Symphony stands apart in Beethoven’s output for its overtly programmatic intent. He subtitled it Pastoral Symphony, or Recollections of Country Life to reflect his deep affinity with nature—an essential trait of the Romantic hero. Though Beethoven often strolled through the Viennese countryside for inspiration, the Pastoral goes beyond mere depictions of thunder, bird song, or horn calls. As he wrote in the premiere program notes, the symphony “embodies more an expression of feeling than painting.”

The five movements carry Beethoven’s own descriptive titles:

I. Awakening of cheerful feelings upon arriving in the country
II. Scene by the brook
III. Merry gathering of peasants
IV. Tempest
V. Shepherd’s song—cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm

With that canvas in mind, imagine stepping out from a sudden storm into golden sunlight, the world exhaling relief. The final movement offers just that sense of serenity restored. While honoring the original’s formal and expressive contours, I’ve recast the expansive rondo movement as a duet for two pianos: a musical conversation between friends strolling hand-in-hand through the countryside.

— Greg Anderson