Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No.10 in E flat (1825)

Ludwig van Beethoven

(1770-1827)

 Symphony No.10 in E flat (1825)  

Intèrprets: London Symphony Orchestra; Wyn Morris (conductor)

Pintura: Barend Cornelis Koekoek (1803-1862) - Winter Landscape (c.1835-1838)

Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 10 in E♭ major is a hypothetica[가설상의]l work, assembled in

1988 by Barry Cooper (b.1949) from Beethoven's fragmentary sketches. This title is controversial since it cannot be proven that all the sketches assembled were meant for the same piece. There is, however, consensus that Beethoven did intend another symphony.

After completing the Ninth Symphony in 1824, Beethoven devoted his energies largely to composing string quartets, although there are contemporary references to some work on a symphony (e.g. in his letter of 18 March 1827); allegedly he played a movement of this piece for his friend Karl Holz, whose description of what he heard matches the material assembled by Cooper. Cooper claimed that he found over fifty separate fragments, which he wove together to form the symphonic movement. Cooper assembled material for a first movement consisting of an Andante in E♭ major enclosing a central Allegro in C minor. Cooper claims to have also found sketches for a Scherzo which are not developed enough to assemble into a performing version.

There are numerous references to this work in Beethoven's correspondence. (He had originally planned

the Ninth Symphony to be entirely instrumental, the Ode to Joy to be a separate cantata, and the Tenth

Symphony to conclude with a different vocal work.)

Earlier, in 1814–15, Beethoven also began sketches for a 6th piano concerto in D major, Hess 15. (Unlike the fragmentary symphony, the first movement of this concerto was partly written out in full score and a

reconstruction by Nicholas Cook has been performed and recorded.)