After the revolutionary Third Symphony, the Eroica, Beethoven returned to his classical roots. Lithe and sophisticated, the ebullient Fourth Symphony is the ultimate Haydn tribute and is Beethoven at his most outgoing and confident.

Then a complete change of mood. The extraordinarily original Fifth Symphony is a work of staggering power. It is unremittingly terse and intense; it begins in darkness and ends in blazing jubilation. It is one of the most famous pieces of music ever written, and rightly so. It doesn’t matter how well you know Beethoven 5, a performance is always an event.