On 27th of February 1814 Beethoven’s 8th Symphony in F premiered at a concert in the Redoutensaal, Vienna.

At the same concert the orchestra also played Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.

When asked by his pupil Carl Czerny why the Eighth was less popular than the Seventh, Beethoven is said to have replied, “because the Eighth is so much better.”

“It makes you think you’re listening to a light-hearted witticism, but Beethoven is in reality reforming the symphony right in front of your ears.”

Tom Service , Symphony guide: Beethoven’s Eighth

Beethoven had his own views of critics : Beethoven on a critic