How does that one go again? Neglected even amongst Beethoven’s even-numbered “B-side” symphonies, No. 4 in B flat can be a little slow to spring to mind, but once that effervescent first subject banishes the portent of the mock-gloomy introduction, the delights of this work come flooding back. Really remarkable passages abound-suspension, resolution, modulation, deliberate confounding of expectation to comic effect; “masterclass” is applicable, but it’s far too much fun for that. Besides rescuing a bassoonist from a fiendish solo in the finale, the Watts arrangement for flute and string sextet lends a filagree of clarity to a warm and witty work that will leave you beaming.

Pre-interval also sees the AHE in miniature symphonic mode. In 2025, listeners loved the Linz, so roll on Mozart’s prequel, the Haffner Symphony, K. 385, also presented in Cimador’s bite-sized arrangement. Poor Wolfgang couldn’t put a foot right with his dad….