Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed Symphony No. 6 in 1808. Also known as the "Pastoral Symphony," it was first performed at a benefit concert alongside the composer's fifth symphony, his fourth Piano Concerto, and his Choral Fantasy in the Theater an der Wien on December 22nd, 1808. A lover of nature, Beethoven often spent a great deal of time walking in the countryside away from Vienna — it was from these walks that he drew inspiration for Symphony No. 6, stating that it is "more the expression of feeling than painting." The composer titled each movement of the Symphony; it is one of Beethoven's few works that contains explicitly programmatic content. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 2.2.2.0: Timp: Str(9-8-7-6-5 in set).