What does a “complete symphony” mean?
I read a passage about Beethoven, in which the phrase is used this way:
Some musicologists suggest that, as his hearing worsened, Beethoven favoured lower and middle-range notes in his compositions and began to use high notes again only once he was totally deaf, drawing on memory and imagination. But, looking at the range of pitches used in the final complete symphony, Albercht dismisses that theory: “ I don’t think it holds. Otherwise, what do you do with the piccolo in the Ninth Symphony — up there on top — and the contrabasses down below? All the registers are there. He could hear them with his innner ear. He was amazing.
[‘Deaf’ genius Beethoven was able to hear his final symphony after all: The Guardian]
I also found the same expression is used in Wikipedia:
The Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, is a choral symphony, the final complete symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, composed between 1822 and 1824. [en.m.wikipedia.org: Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven)]
I’ve heard the expression complete symphonies many times, but not a complete symphony.
Then I thought that this complete was the opposite of unfinished as used in the title of one of Schubert’s symphonies, but OALD says that it can’t be used before noun.
So, now I think this complete is exceptional, or is not used as finished.
Would you give me some answer, please? Thank you.