Symphony No. 2 (Beethoven)

The Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36, is a symphony in four parts written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1801 and 1802. The work is dedicated to Karl Alois, Prince Lichnowsky.

The work was first shown in the Theater an der Wien in Vienna on 5 April 1803, and was led by Beethoven. During that same event, the Third Piano Concerto and Christ on the Mount of Olives were also shown for the firing time.^[1]

Beethoven wrote the Second Symphony without a minuet; there is a scherzo in its place.^[2]

The symphony is made for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets in A, two bassoons, two horns in D, E and A, two trumpets in D (first, third and fourth movements only), timpani (first, third and fourth movements only) and strings.

This symphony has four movements or parts:

1. Adagio molto, ³
   ₄ – Allegro con brio, ⁴
   ₄ (D major)
2. Larghetto, ³
   ₈ (A major)
3. Scherzo: Allegro, ³
   ₄ (D major)
4. Allegro molto, ²
   ₂ (D major)

The work is 30 to 37 minutes long.

Grove, George C. B. (1962). Beethoven and His Nine Symphonies (3rd ed.). New York: Dover Publications.

Steinberg, Michael (1998). The Concerto: A Listener's Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Complete performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra (interview only)
• Symphony No. 2: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• A visual analysis of the 2nd Symphony