Which Beethoven's symphony do you like the best?

I like the 7th the best, principally because it's a joyful one and I've always found the second movement to be hauntingly beautiful.

Eldartford, you're not alone, apart from the second movement, which I think is perhaps the greatest "dance" movement ever written, I have never liked the 9th Symphony as much as everyone else seems to. Just seems a bit overblown to me, more a theoretical triumph than truly moving to me. Obviously many disagree. I had the same problem with Mahler for a long time, but have gradually educated myself to appreciate his music, perhaps if I spent more time with the 9th I could learn to love it more.

Eldartford,
R U conductor??

The March (2nd movement) of the Seventh
Fifth because it encompasses the the range of emotions from anger to joy.
The final movement of 9th, Ode to Joy. This piece of music draws parallels to the 4th Movement of Mozart's Jupiter, which is my very favorite symphony but this is about Beethoven, not Mozart. I can only imagine that Beethoven was inspired by Mozart's Jupiter when he wrote the Ode.

Tubegroover, Interesting comparison - when I hear The "ode" I think that he must have inspired Mahler to write his 2d, another great, dramatic, choral/orchestral ending.

The 9th is one of the 5 best symphonies ever written (and for some musicologists, the best of all), and since my point of view, one should not say that the 9th is overrated just because is not able to appreciate it.

Rcprince, be patient with this symphony as you were with Mahler's music, if you liked the 7th I'm almost sure you'll love the 9th after a while.

Eldartford, would it make sense to you if I said Mozart's last 5 symphonies are overrated? I guess you would laugh.