Ludwig van Beethoven : Symphony no.6 “Pastoraleˮ

1. Knecht: Le Portrait musical de la Nature - I. Allegretto - Andante pastorale - Allegretto - Villanella grazioso - Allegretto
2. Knecht: Le Portrait musical de la Nature - II. Allegretto
3. Knecht: Le Portrait musical de la Nature - III. Allegro molto
4. Knecht: Le Portrait musical de la Nature - IV. Allegretto
5. Knecht: Le Portrait musical de la Nature - V. L’inno con variazioni - Coro Allegro con brio - Andantino
6. Beethoven: Symphonie No. 6, Op. 68 ‘Pastorale’ - I. Allegro, ma non troppo
7. Beethoven: Symphonie No. 6, Op. 68 ‘Pastorale’ - II. Andante molto moto
8. Beethoven: Symphonie No. 6, Op. 68 ‘Pastorale’ - III. Allegro
9. Beethoven: Symphonie No. 6, Op. 68 ‘Pastorale’ - IV. Allegro
10. Beethoven: Symphonie No. 6, Op. 68 ‘Pastorale’ - V. Allegretto

Two symphonies “on the theme of natureˮ! Valid though this expression is, it nevertheless calls for quotation marks: far from being a prefiguration of the famous Pastoral, the Symphonie ‘Portrait musical de la nature’ represented a highly convincing attempt by its composer to extricate himself from programme music , 23 years before Beethoven's masterpiece! It is exciting to hear these two works recorded together for the first time by a period-instrument orchestra directed by its concertmaster, Bernhard Forck.