Beethoven may have referred to his eighth symphony as his “little symphony”, but it still contains the composer’s characteristic emotional range and drama.

The ASO under Douglas Boyd in Beethoven: The Symphonies, Concert 4. Photo © Claudio Raschella

In the final instalment of its Beethoven concert series, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, with conductor Douglas Boyd, continued to bring out this emotionality with conviction. The first movement opened with a wonderfully warm timbre and excellent blending across the orchestra. There was incredible attention and care given to the articulation in the Allegretto scherzando, which was taken at a lively tempo. The minuet had a delightful, rollicking quality, with lyrical playing in the horn solo of the trio, while the final movement was played with great enthusiasm.

Perhaps due to the flattened seating arrangement to accommodate the choir, there were a few balance issues scattered throughout this symphony, with some of the more delicate melodic motifs getting lost in the texture.

Beethoven’s Ninth might be one of the most often-heard works from the classical canon, but Boyd and the ASO managed to bring a freshness to their interpretation. The contrast between the agitated character...