Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the greatest and most significant composers of all time. As he lived and worked during the transition between two centuries, namely during periods of Classicism and Romanticism, his works manifest characteristics of these two styles. Beethoven is mainly an instrumental composer, and his symphonies occupy a central place in his entire body of work. Unlike Haydn and Mozart, Beethoven wrote only nine symphonies; however, these symphonies mark the pinnacle of symphonic literature. He composed the Eighth Symphony in 1812, towards the end of his second creative period. It was premiered two years later and was not well-received, and it seemed that it was shadowed ever since by his Seventh and Ninth symphonies. Beethoven, in a certain way, returns to the beginnings of his symphonic creation with the Eighth Symphony, and at certain points, one can hear the pure sound of Classicism. While returning to the foundations of the classical symphony, Beethoven simultaneously introduces numerous innovations, most specifically in terms of tonality and a more deliberate approach to form. The first movement of the Eighth Symphony is structured in the classical sonata form. Instead of the usual slow-tempo second movement, the first movement is here followed by an Allegretto scherzando, constructed in a sonata form without development. Although Beethoven writes the third movement in the form of a scherzo in most of his symphonies, in the Eighth Symphony, he returns to the older moderate-tempo minuet. The fourth movement of this symphony is structured as a sonata rondo. Despite being one of his least performed symphonies, Beethoven's Eighth Symphony is considered a masterpiece of symphonic creation, where the clarity and transparency of Classicism intertwine with the individuality and freedom of Romanticism.