I don't know to what extent it is "underappreciated," but I never tire
of Symphony 8. In fact, it is my favorite Beethoven piece. But then I'm
not a big Beethoven guy.

Sym 8 has the rhythmic thrust of Sym 7 but stays fresher for me, no doubt
because 8 is played less often. It is also fairly compact and concise -
not a typical Beethoven virtue. For once he leaves me wanting more.

That famous grimacing portrait of Beethoven undergoes a transformation
in my imagination when I hear Sym 8 - he's grinning and kicking his heels
up.

His hair still needs a brush, however.

C Mullins