Considered by many to be his most subtle and beautiful of his works, the 6th symphony is one of Beethoven's better known, although most know it as The Pastoral. The announcement of Beethoven's concert of December 22, 1808 C.E. refers to "A Symphony, entitled:'A Recollection of Country Life'". The word "pastoral" is first found in a violin part used at the first performance. Although the composer numbered it among his symphonies and did not regard it as an occasional piece, he was afraid that The Pastoral would be misunderstood as an imitation of Nature; and so he inscribed the following motto in the first edition: "More an expression of feeling than a painting".