We all tend to imagine Beethoven as a tragic hero, struggle against fate, his face always clouded, writing pieces like the Fifth Symphony or the Appassionata. Well, this is certainly not the truth! He loved to laugh, joke around, kidding his friends. Moreover, his music is full of joy and joking, just listen to the final movement of the Eight Symphony! In this article we find another little gem hidden in the Eroica!
Symphony no. 3, also known as the Eroica, was the symphony Beethoven liked the most. It represents the musical work, which gave him the compositional breakthrough. From this point on he never looked back to the classical era and its rules, not even to the heroes of this period: Haydn and Mozart!
This symphony is magnificent, so complex and emotionally so powerful that never before was such a music created. The subject is a hero, who struggles internal and external adversaries, killed in the battle, but finally risen again, like a phoenix.
Initially the work was dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, whom Beethoven idealized. Coming from humble background, on the merits of his own work and genius, Napoleon became the champion of the Enlightenment, representative of the free spirit of the French Revolution.
Later, when Beethoven heard the news that his hero crowned himself to be emperor, he became furious and scratched the title until it disappeared (visit Vienna’s House of Music and see the original!). He renamed it Eroica: Hero. Many believe the symphony is all about Beethoven. His struggle against bad fate, his deteriorating hearing.
Now, with this background even without ever listening to the symphony itself, we all can imagine the feeling of this music: all heroic, all magnificent, all powerful, all romantic. Yet, Beethoven writes a little joke into the introduction of the last movement…
Let us listen to this part!
This sounds very glorious! Surly a king will enter the room and all the subjects are bowing in front of the mighty hero! Maybe, all the battles are over and finally the Iron Throne will be taken by the most worthy conqueror!
Not to be! When the giant doors leading to the throne room open up… the clown enters in his colorful costume and over sized shoes!
This introduction to the final movement received heavy criticism over the years. Many feel it is simply unworthy to the symphony itself.
Well, B. made it like this and it remains like this!
Happy First of April!
(We must underline here that this little theme, although sounds playful and funny in this serious composition, played a very important role in Beethoven’s life! Read more about it in this article: The Eroica variations!)
