Which Beethoven's symphony do you like the best?

What a nest of hornets I stirred up by disliking the 9th!

No, I can't write a symphony, but I can do many other things that Beethoven couldn't. It would be more appropriate to compare Beethoven to Bach or Mozart.

No wonder Wagner liked the 9th. It is pompous and overbearing just like much of Wagner's music.

Eldartford, It is one thing to say you do not like Beethovens 9th, or any of the rest of his symphonies for that matter. But, to dismiss them as valueless, not just to you, but in general, does in fact make your opinion a humble one and of little value to anyone interested in music but yourself. And if you reread your posts that is what you will find you have done. IMHO.

Nickalu, Love them all, but the two I listen to most often are #5 and #7 as done by Carlos Kleiber on DG. Just let'um rip. Totally engaging, foot tapping music!

I like the 7th the best, principally because it's a joyful one and I've always found the second movement to be hauntingly beautiful.

Eldartford, you're not alone, apart from the second movement, which I think is perhaps the greatest "dance" movement ever written, I have never liked the 9th Symphony as much as everyone else seems to. Just seems a bit overblown to me, more a theoretical triumph than truly moving to me. Obviously many disagree. I had the same problem with Mahler for a long time, but have gradually educated myself to appreciate his music, perhaps if I spent more time with the 9th I could learn to love it more.

Eldartford,
R U conductor??