What was Ludwig van Beethoven’s first symphony?

Ludwig van Beethoven’s first symphony is the Symphony No. 1 in C Major, which was completed in 1800.1

While the work is considered "Haydnesque"—notably in its finale, which draws comparisons to the finale of Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 88—it is also recognized for its originality. The symphony features four classically structured movements and reflects Beethoven’s early focus on expressive woodwind writing and dynamics. Notably, the slow introduction to the first movement is marked by its avoidance of the tonic, a technique Beethoven would frequently employ in his later works to build musical tension.1