The premiere of this work in December 1813 ranks among the greatest successes Beethoven ever celebrated in public as a composer. Onereviewer wrote at the time that in its themes the new symphony was so favourable and easily comprehensible that every music lover falls for the powerful allure of its beauty. The incisiveness of the themes is fundamentally related to the basic ostinato rhythms,which help shape each movements distinctive character. Richard Wagner even called the composition, with its ecstatic finale, an apotheosis of the dance. Based on the musical text of the Beethoven Complete Edition and furnished with a new preface, this recently prepared edition reflects the latest in Beethoven scholarship. Now, in this study edition, it is available to everyone at areasonable price and in a handy format.