Is Symphony No. 6 in F Major Pastoral, considered “program music” and “absolute music” both.?
Program music was frowned on in Beethoven’s time. But some aspects of the Pastoral are definitely programmatic, and he was criticized for that. The movements evoke moods–a gathering storm, a country dance, etc. In the storm you can hear thunder and lightning, even the blustery wind. At the end of the slow movement there are even bird calls! -That- is program music! But it can be seen as absolute music too in its skillful use of tone color and wonderful development sections. It’s not as absolute as, say, the 5th symphony.
