Symphony No. 3 in E-flat, Op. 55 ‘Eroica’

• Beethoven, Ludwig van

Written by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) between 1803-1804, SYMPHONY No. 3 ‘EROICA’ (Heroic Symphony) marks the transition to the composer’s innovative middle period, breaking the long-standing boundaries in form, length (twice the length of Mozart or Haydn symphonies), harmony, emotional, and cultural content. But it is also considered the transitional landmark from the Classical era of music to the Romantic era, and often defined as the first Romantic symphony. The symphony was originally titled ‘Bonaparte,’ and was dedicated to the French leader, as Beethoven believed him to embody what he perceived as the French Revolution’s ideals of democracy and anti-monarchy, though Beethoven withdrew the dedication and re-dedicated it to Prince Joseph Franz Maximillian Lobkowitz to not risk the loss of his composer’s fee for the work. Upon Napoleon’s proclaiming himself to be Emperor of the French on May 14, 1804, Beethoven’s opinion of the French leader soured, and when the score was published in 1806, it was titled in Italian, “Sinfonia Eroica … composta per festeggiare il sovvenire di un grande Uomo” (“Heroic Symphony, Composed to celebrate the memory of a great man”). While some private performances did take place prior, the work premiered publicly on April 7, 1805 at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 3.2.0.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).

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