Written in 1799, at the same time as the First Symphony, the Septet reflects Beethoven's ambition to gain a foothold in his new Viennese environment. It is an experimental work with six contrasting movements - weighty as a symphony but also influenced by the lighter, more entertaining character of the serenade.�Unlike Beethoven, who clearly indicates his intentions, Kreutzer allows the musicians plenty of room to emerge as soloists.�Combined with Beethoven's masterpiece, the result is a sound document that uncovers a buried path of music history, once more proving that unknown works are definitely worth studying, rehearsing, and performing.