Letter: Neglect of a colossal work

Neglect of a colossal work

Sir: I read with interest David Chesterman's letter (5 February) on recent performances of symphonies in London. I too am struck by the apparent neglect of Beethoven's Second Symphony. I can see no good reason why this fine work should have slipped into relative obscurity.

The Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung, in its review of the symphony's premiere in April 1803, describes it as "a singular, colossal work, with a depth, power and artistic erudition such as very few works command".

One could not agree more. The symphony shows the first real emergence of the power and beauty of Beethoven's music, which was to surface fully in his later works. Let's hope it does not drift further into obscurity.

Dr C E JAGUS

Mossley,

Lancashire