Think you know Beethoven? Think again.
Beyond the monumental symphonies, intimate sonatas, and emotive concertos lies a trove of underappreciated gems—works that shimmer with invention, passion, and the unmistakable stamp of genius. From rarely played chamber pieces to bold choral miniatures and lyrical song cycles, these lesser-known compositions reveal surprising sides of the composer: intimate, daring, and sometimes delightfully strange.
Whether you're a Beethoven novice or devotee, these 11 works deserve your ears—and may just change how you hear him forever. It’s time to go beyond the Fifth and the Für Elise and dive deeper into the wild brilliance of Beethoven off the beaten path.
1. Wellington’s Victory/The Battle Symphony, Op. 91
Beethoven’s Wellington’s Victory (1813) celebrates a British triumph over Napoleon’s forces with vivid orchestral battle effects, including cannon fire and national anthems. The piece splits the orchestra into “armies,” using God Save the King and Marlbrough s'en va-t-en guerre to represent each side. Though now viewed as a novelty, it was wildly popular in Beethoven’s time and ranked among his most celebrated works.
2. 12 German Dances, WoO 8
Beethoven wrote these 12 German Dances in 1795, at the age of just 25, for the Redoutensaal, a salon frequented by the Viennese upper classes. This is Beethoven on a small scale, displaying concise craftsmanship – not one of the dances breaks the two-minute mark.
Though Beethoven originally orchestrated the dances, they became popular enough for him to make a piano arrangement to be played at home.
3. Auld Lang Syne arrangement
Beethoven’s 179 folk song settings, commissioned by collector George Thomson, were both lucrative and popular. Thomson paid handsomely and provided melodies gathered across Britain, with texts by poets like Robert Burns (left) and Walter Scott. Ranging from solos to trios, the songs suited Viennese salons and middle-class homes. They vary in mood—from the cheerful Put round the bright wine to the somber On the Massacre of Glencoe—and include a spirited Auld Lang Syne. Have a listen:
4. Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II, WoO 87
In 1790, after the death of the Emperor Joseph II (pictured), a 19-year-old Beethoven seized the opportunity to compose a memorial cantata for a ceremony organized by the University of Bonn. While established composers hesitated due to the tight deadline, Beethoven completed the work and won the commission. However, for unknown reasons, the performance was cancelled, and the cantata was never heard during his lifetime.
5. Three Equale for Four Trombones, WoO 30
In 1812, Beethoven composed a set of equale works for All Soul's Day in Linz Cathedral. These pieces, written for four trombones in homophonic phrases, create a rich, solemn tone.
They were later performed at Beethoven's own funeral, with the addition of the Miserere text by Ignaz von Seyfried. The term equale refers to equal parts, highlighting the harmonious blend of instruments.
More little known Beethoven
6. Italian songs
While studying with Antonio Salieri (pictured), Beethoven composed many Italian songs, often as exercises. These songs vary greatly in mood from his famous An die ferne geliebte.
For example, Ecco quel fiero istante (WoO 124) has a Mozartian charm, while In questa tomba oscura (WoO 133) displays dramatic elements, with shifting accompaniments moving from calm to thunderous, showing Beethoven's evolving musical expression. Listen to the great Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau bring it to life, below.
7. Organ Fugue, WoO 31
The only solo piece Beethoven wrote for organ, this is also one of the earliest works he composed. The piece ends with some interest, demonstrating a busy recapitulation of the main theme over a sustained pedal note, but otherwise reveals little that hints towards his revolutionary mature style. It is thought that the piece was written as part of the examination requirements for an organ position at the court of Bonn.
8. Sonata for flute and piano in B flat major, Anh. 4
Beethoven wrote his sonata for flute and piano when he was in his early twenties but it wasn’t published until 1906, when a selection of the composer's works were released posthumously.
He replaces the conventionally slow second movement with a lively Polonaise, while a playful theme and variations play out between the flute and piano in the final movement.
9. Three duets for clarinet and bassoon, WoO 27
This set of three charming duets emerged in Paris towards the beginning of the 19th century and are a delightful addition to a relatively limited repertoire for clarinet and bassoon duo. While there is some debate among musicologists over the origins of the pieces, it is widely accepted that Beethoven composed them some time in the 1790s, while his compositional style was still developing.
10. Sextet for two horns and string quartet in E flat major, Op. 81b
Written around 1795, the progress of Beethoven’s compositional development is evident in the way he treats the two horns in this piece.
He acknowledges the typical use of the horn for fanfares and hunting calls, but also shows the lyrical qualities the instrument has to offer in the duet between both horns in the second movement, which has a very minimal string accompaniment.
And finally... a little known Beethoven piano gem
11. Andante favori in F major, WoO 57
This beautiful piece for solo piano was published in 1805. Originally intended to be the second movement of the dazzling ‘Waldstein’ piano sonata, Beethoven omitted it on the advice of friends who felt it was too long. The work became a much-loved stand-alone piece amongst audiences of the time, which led Beethoven to give it the title Andante favori (favoured andante).
