A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored

almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or
episode composed according to the sonata principle. Many symphonies are tonal
works in four movements with the first in sonata form, which is often described by
music theorists as the structure of a "classical" symphony. (Derived from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony)

Beethoven remains as one of the most well known composers in the modern world. It
is, no doubt, made possible by his groundbreaking symphonies. Beethoven's
symphonies number only nine, each one unique, each one preparing the way for the
next. However, it is the 1st symphony that Beethoven composed provided the pathway
for him to unleash his talent and genius in composing. Beethoven began writing
Symphony No. 1 in 1799. It premiered April 2, 1800, in Vienna. Compared to other
Beethoven symphonies, this symphony sounds the tamest .(Derived from
http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/onestopbeethoven/a/beethovensympho.htm) From
the musical aspect, this piece, when it was first premiered, audience was stunned by
what they heard. After all, they were used to hearing the purely classical styles of
Haydn and Mozart. They must have been shocked to hear the piece begin on a
dissonant chord. Prior to Beethoven’s first symphony, Haydn, the king of symphony,
had composed many symphonies, which were conservative. As such, when
Beethoven’s first introduced Symphony No.1, many were taken surprise by the
unconventional and “unusual” sounding of the dissonances at the start. However, in
launching himself as a symphonist, at the end of the century in which Haydn had
defined the terms of the symphony, Beethoven quite understandably showed his
respect for his revered teacher, and very likely felt it was only appropriate that he
demonstrate his mastery of established practice before venturing a more individual
style. (R.Freed, 2006) As much as Beethoven wanted to keep the standard structure of
a symphony of the Classical era (4 movement: Allegro, Adagio, Minuet, Allegro),
Beethoven added the scherzo in the third movement of this piece. The scherzo is the
first born in this family of delightful musical jests (scherzi), a form invented by
Beethoven who established its tempo. In almost all his instrumental works it takes the
place of the minuet of Mozart and Haydn, which is only half the speed of the scherzo
and very different in character. (M.Austin, 2004) This may bewilder the audience, but
it carved a pathway for many composers after Beethoven to begin to compose music
in a new way and many fresh and innovative methods of compositional techniques
appeared during the early 19th century.

From the history point of view, Beethoven’s Symphony No.1 in C major signifies the
impact of how the society can change the way of music works. During the 19th
century, the Romantic Movement was an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement
that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe and strengthened in
reaction to the Industrial Revolution. In part, it was a revolt against social and
political norms of the Age of Enlightenment and a reaction against the scientific
rationalization of nature (Casey 2008). Industrial Revolution was gaining steam
throughout the nineteenth century. This had a very practical effect on music: there
were major improvements in the mechanical valves and keys that most woodwinds
and brass instruments depend on. The new, improved instruments could be played
more easily and reliably, and often had a bigger, fuller, better-tuned sound. Strings
and keyboard instruments dominate the music of the Baroque and Classical periods,
with small groups of winds added for color. As the nineteenth century progressed and
wind instruments improved, more and more winds were added to the orchestra, and
their parts became more and more difficult, interesting, and important. (C.S Jones,
2008) By coincident, Beethoven’s Symphony No.1 in C major was premiered right at
the turn of the 19th century. Wind instruments in this symphony were more prominent
and independent. In my opinion, Beethoven’s symphony no.1 in C major is one of the
groundbreaking pieces for composers to change orchestration of symphony music,
with the help of improvement in many physical aspects of instruments due to
Industrial Revolution.
Reference

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony

2) http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/onestopbeethoven/a/beethovensympho.htm

3) http://www.kennedy-
center.org/calendar/?fuseaction=composition&composition_id=2726, Richard
Freed, 2006

4) http://www.hberlioz.com/Predecessors/beethsym.htm, Michel Austin, 2004

5) 'Grecian Grandeurs and the Rude Wasting of Old Time': Britain, the Elgin
Marbles, and Post-Revolutionary Hellenism”, C.Casey, 2008, Pg 31

6) http://cnx.org/content/m11606/latest/, C.S Jones ,2008