There are a plethora of compositions extolling the beauty of spring, but significantly fewer celebrate the arrival of summer. There’s magic in the reawakening of earth, but once the trees are in bloom, it’s business as usual? Not so!

While not specifically about summer, the cheerfulness of Beethoven‘s Pastoral Symphony captures this month perfectly. The magical transformation of spring might be past, but the beauty of nature in full bloom awaits! Maybe a little Beethoven will put you in the mood. In the first movement of the symphony, he masterfully paints a scene that transports the listener to the green, serene countryside.