When you want to argue whether Beethoven acted on impulse or not, think about how he used to improvise the cadenzas in his concerti. It wasn't later until composers started to actually write down the cadenza. Before that the pianist, who was usually the composer himself, would use the cadenza almost like a showcase after the orchestra finish playing, almost like the drummer will do take a solo towards the end of a song in a jazz band concert. Impulse...Impulse...SPONTANEITY!!!!!! Jeremey