Extended Use of the Orchestra: Before Beethoven, symphonies were typically scored for a small orchestra with limited sections. Beethoven greatly expanded the size and range of the orchestra, introducing new instruments and increasing the number of players in each section. This allowed him to create a richer, more complex, and powerful orchestral sound.
Increased Musical Development: Beethoven also broke new ground in terms of musical development. His symphonies are characterized by extended and intricate development sections, where the themes and motifs introduced in the exposition are elaborated upon, varied, and combined in new and unexpected ways. This level of musical development added depth, interest, and drama to the symphony form.
These innovations, along with Beethoven's creative genius, helped to transform the symphony into one of the most important and celebrated genres of Western classical music. His influence on subsequent composers was immense, and his symphonies remain fundamental masterpieces in the symphonic repertoire.