symphony no. 6 in f major, op. 68 (pastorale) is a symphony by ludwig van beethoven. the composer began making sketches for the symphony in 1806. the symphony was completed in 1808 in the village of heiligenstadt northwest of vienna. it was first performed in vienna, austria on 22 december 1808 in the theater an der wien with the premieres of the symphony no. 5 in c minor, the piano concerto no. 4 in g major, the "choral" fantasy, "ah! perfido!" (a concert aria composed in 1796), and excerpts from the mass in c major of 1807.