Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 8 F Major op. 93

The autograph manuscript bears evidence that the symphony was completed in October 1812, merely five months after the seventh one. It was first performed in a concert given of Beethoven's works in Vienna, on February 27, 1814. Although the musicians and the critics immediately recognized its exceptional values, the 8th symphony took longer to gain popularity than its predecessors. Schumann reported as late as 1840 that this magnificent work was undeservedly seldom performed in concerts. The score was printed parallel with the orchestral parts by S. A. Steiner of Vienna in 1816. Apart from some obvious printing errors which are not listed here the various editions do notshow any significant deviations. There is only one ambiguous note we have to comment on: the final G of the first clarinet at the end of the middle section (bar 78) of the Menuetto movement. This apperars in contemporary parts either as a two-line or a three-line note. In the present edition both have been indicated, leaving it to the performer to decide which one to chooise.