April 1873:
Plain evidence of the musician’s not characterizing his creations in accordance with conscious didactic and poetic reflection and guided by the same, but from a deeper seated, directly impelling perception, is provided by the final movement of the Pastoral Symphony: here, in accordance with the scheme of the external plan, he again depicts the cheerful feelings of the country folk; only how completely all the motives and treatments differ from those of the movements preceding the thunderstorm! — The change of mood resulting from this powerful natural impression leads to a sublimity of feeling. This great dramatic ‘catharsis’ has escaped Dr D. Strauss who finds the symphony dull because the powerful thunderstorm is not in agreement with the previous peasant merriment!! —