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BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 2

Beethoven's Second Symphony was mostly written during Beethoven's stay at Heiligenstadt in 1802, at a time when his deafness was becoming more pronounced and he began to realize that it might be incurable.
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BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5

The symphony, and the four-note opening motif in particular, are known worldwide, with the motif appearing frequently in popular culture, from disco versions to rock and roll covers, to uses in film and television. Like Beethoven's Eroica (heroic) and Pastorale (rural), Symphony No. 5 was given an explicit name besides the numbering, though not by Beethoven himself. It became popular under "Schicksals-Sinfonie" (Fate Symphony), and the famous five bar theme was called the "Schicksals-Motiv" (Fate Motif). This name is also used in translations.
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Location

New Hazlett Theater

6 Allegheny Square E, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Free

That's right! This concert is free and open to the public. Advance ticket reservations for all free concerts are recommended and are available now.

Perhaps the most iconic Beethoven work, Symphony No. 5 is paired with an iconic space: the New Hazlett Theater in Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhood is the site of one of the first Carnegie Free Libraries in the United States, including the first Carnegie Music Hall in the United States. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra share the same founding year, 1896, and founding philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie. “The New Hazlett Theater began its life as the original Carnegie Music Hall, built in 1890 to present musical performances for the residents of Allegheny City. We continue this tradition today by connecting local arts organizations of all sizes to the community and are honored to welcome PSO’s world-class artists to the Northside as part of Beethoven in Your Neighborhood,” said René Conrad, Executive Director, New Hazlett Theater.

Music is the best language and Beethoven is one of its greatest heroes.
―Manfred Honeck, Music Director

For the first time in Pittsburgh history, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Manfred Honeck, will present the full cycle of all nine Beethoven Symphonies in one week—the Bank of America Symphony Week—as part of its extensive Beethoven In Your Neighborhood project. The Bank of America Symphony Week begins on April 26, 2022, at the Carnegie Science Center, and will then move to the Pittsburgh International Airport, the New Hazlett Theater, and the Carnegie Library Music Hall Homestead before returning to Heinz Hall to conclude the cycle. All of the concerts, except the finale at Heinz Hall, are free to the public and general admission.

Explore our additional Beethoven concerts and programs → Learn more