Robert M. Stumpf II wrote:
>I am working on transcribing the memories of the principal oboist of the
>Houston Symphony. In one paragraph he makes reference to 'the Beethoven
>Symphony that has trombones in the last movement.' I am not sure which he
>is referring to since 5, 6 and 9 all have trombones at some point. Can
>someone help me here?
My guess would be that the reference is to the Fifth. The Ninth uses
the trombones in the scherzo as well, and their appearance in the
Sixth is less unexpected, occurring as it does at the storm movement.
But Beethoven himself considered the inclusion of trombones (and
piccolo) in the final movement of the Fifth as both unexpected and
effective.
Jan McDaniel
Division of Musicology and Music Theory
University of North Texas