Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ Symphony: a guide to the best recordings

Richard Osborne
Friday, October 20, 2023

The Sixth is the outlier among Beethoven’s symphonies, rural and rustic where the others are driven and dramatic. Richard Osborne makes a selection of the best versions from a rich recorded history

Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony encourages lovers of Nature to create their own images as they listen (photography: Lebrecht Music Arts/Bridgeman Images)
Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony encourages lovers of Nature to create their own images as they listen (photography: Lebrecht Music Arts/Bridgeman Images)

Register now to continue reading

Thanks for exploring the Gramophone website. Sign up for a free account today to enjoy the following benefits:

  • Free access to 3 subscriber-only articles per month
  • Unlimited access to our news, podcasts and awards pages
  • Free weekly email newsletter
Register for free

Gramophone Print

  • Print Edition

From £6.67 / month

Subscribe

Gramophone Digital Club

  • Digital Edition
  • Digital Archive
  • Reviews Database
  • Full website access

From £8.75 / month

Subscribe

                              

If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.