Whether written as an apology for an ensemble medium he now felt beneath his efforts, or simply false modesty, Beethoven surely did not compose such a work in the rapid manner suggested, since fairly extensive sketches of the third and fourth movements have come to light. The work's premiere was given a glowing report from the often critical Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung. It said that of all the works performed at the concert "the most especially pleasing was the beautiful Sextet in E-flat of Beethoven, a composition distinguished by fine melodies, a natural harmonic flow and a wealth of new and surprising ideas." Whether or not they reach the level of Mozart's efforts, these wind pieces are still worthy ventures and very listenable, much in the classical Harmonie style, punctuated with beautiful lyricism, yet contrasting gaiety and contemplative moments. Yet one hears a foreshadowing of things to come, for instance, in the tempo of the minuet in the Octet, which is more like the scherzo tempo he would later come to prefer. They also stand as early examples of his scoring for winds--efforts that directly influenced his nine symphonies. In fact one reviewer of the premier of his First Symphony complained that "the wind instruments were employed excessively, so that it was more military band than orchestral music