Sir, - Popular French revolutionary songs may not have been the only source from which Beethoven found inspiration for some of the themes used in his symphonies (The Irish Times, May 11th).
The principal theme of the exuberant finale of his 7th Symphony is said to have been based on a musical phrase used in the Irish folksong Save Me from the Grave and Wise, which he arranged, with piano trio accompaniment, for an English publisher. Yours, etc.,
Croydon Park Avenue,
Marino,
Dublin 3.
