Beethoven Symphony No. 7

The second movement, marked Allegretto, or moderately quick, is perhaps the most famous. An alluring, sensuous yet moody theme draws the listener in towards the inner turmoil of a musical mastermind grappling with the loss of his hearing. The upper strings cry out in the high register only to be answered by the insistent thrumming of the low basses and cellos. Reprieve is given as the music turns to a more hopeful and optimistic theme which fatefully returns to the original bittersweet motif.