L. Beethoven Symphony No. 3 "Heroic": history, video, content

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 3 "Heroic"

Beethoven's third symphony "Heroic" is one of the most important milestones in musical development from the classical period to the era of romanticism. The work marked the beginning of the composer’s mature career. Learn interesting facts, read how to create a legendary essay, as well as listen to the work on our page.

History of creation and premieres

Beethoven’s third symphony began immediately after the end of the second symphonic work in D major. Nevertheless, many well-known foreign researchers believe that its writing began long before the premiere of the second symphony. There is visible evidence for this judgment. So, the themes used in 4 parts are borrowed from 7 numbers in the cycle “12 counterdances for orchestra”. The collection was published in 1801, and the composition of the third major symphonic work began in 1804. The first three parts have a noticeable similarity to the themes of the 35 opus, which includes a large number of variations. The two pages of the first part are borrowed from the Wielgorsky Album, composed in 1802. Many musicologists also note a noticeable similarity of the first part with the overture to the opera "Bastien and Bastien" by V.A. Mozart At the same time, opinions on plagiarism on this account are different, someone says that this is a random similarity, and someone that Ludwig intends to take the topic, slightly modifying it.

Initially, the composer dedicated this piece of music to Napoleon. He sincerely admired his political views and convictions, but this lasted only until Bonaparte became the French emperor. This fact completely erased the image of Napoleon, as the representative of the antimonarchy.

When Beethoven’s friend informed him that Bonaparte’s coronation ceremony had taken place, Ludwig was in a real rage. Then he said that after this act his idol fell to the status of a mere mortal, thinking only of his own advantage, and consoling his ambitions. In the end, all this will lead to tyranny under the rule, the composer confidently stated. With all the anger, the musician tore up the first page of the composition, in which the dedication was written in calligraphic handwriting.

When he came to himself, he restored the first page by writing a new name “Heroic” on it.

From autumn 1803 until 1804, Ludwig was involved in the creation of a musical score. For the first time, students were able to hear the author's new creation several months after graduating from Eisenberg Castle in the Czech Republic. The premiere in the capital of classical music Vienna took place on April 7, 1805.

It is noteworthy that due to the premiere of another symphony of another composer at the concert, the public could not unequivocally react to the composition. At the same time, most critics expressed a positive opinion on the symphonic work.

Interesting Facts

• When Beethoven was informed about the death of Napoleon, he grinned and said that he had written "Mourning March" for this occasion, referring to the second part of the third symphony.
• After listening to this work, Hector Berlioz was delighted, he wrote that it was very rare to hear the perfect embodiment of a sad mood.
• Beethoven was a big fan of Napoleon Bonaparte. The composer was attracted by a commitment to democracy, and an initial desire to discourage the monarchical system. This essay was originally devoted to the essay. Unfortunately, the musician French emperor did not meet expectations.
• At the first audition, the public could not evaluate the composition, finding it too long and prolonged. Some listeners in the hall shouted rather coarse phrases towards the author, one daredevil was offered by one kreutzer so that the concert would end sooner. Beethoven was furious, so he refused to bow to such an ungrateful and uneducated public. Friends comforted him, the fact that the complexity and beauty of music can be understood only after several centuries.
• Instead of a scherzo, the composer wanted to compose a minuet, but subsequently changed his own intentions.
• 3 symphony sounds in one of the films of Alfred Hitchcock. The circumstances in which a piece of music is reproduced have led to the wrath of one of the most ardent admirers of Ludwig van Beethoven. As a result, the person who noticed the use of music in the film sued the famous American film director. Hitchcock won the case, as the judge did not see anything criminal in the incident.
• In spite of the fact that the author tore up the first page of his own work, with further restoration he did not change a single note in the score.
• Franz von Lobkowitz was the best friend who supported Beethoven in all situations. It is for this reason that the essay was devoted to the prince.
• In one of the museums dedicated to the memory of Ludwig van Beethoven, preserved manuscripts of this work.

Content

The composition is a classic four-part cycle in which each of the parts plays a certain dramatic role:

1. Allegro con brio reflects a heroic struggle, is an exposition of the image of a fair, honest person (a prototype of Napoleon).
2. Mourning March procession plays the role of a dark climax.
3. Scherzo performs the function of changing the nature of musical thought from the tragic to the victorious.
4. The final is a festive, exultant apotheosis. Victory for the real heroes.

The tonality of the work Es-dur. On average, listening to the entire work takes from 40 to 57 minutes, depending on the tempo chosen by the conductor.

First part, originally, was supposed to draw the image of the great and invincible Napoleon, the revolutionary. But after Beethoven decided that this would be the musical embodiment of revolutionary thought, the coming changes. The tonality is basic, the form of the sonata allegro.

Two powerful chords tutti open the curtain and set the heroic mood. Bravura betrays a three-meter meter. The exhibition includes a variety of topics for a thematic warehouse. So the pathos is replaced by gentle and bright images prevailing in the exposition. This compositional technique allows you to select the culmination section in the development, in which the struggle takes place. The center uses a new theme. The code grows and is accepted by many musicologists as a second development.

The second part of - grief, expressed in the genre of the funeral march. Eternal glory to those who fought for justice and did not return home. The music of the piece is a monument of art. The form of the work is a three-part reprisal with a trio in the middle. The key of the parallel minor gives all the means to express sadness and sadness. Reprise unfolds for the listener new versions of the original topic.

The third part - scherzo, in which the obvious features of the minuet are traced, for example, a three-part size. One of the main solo instruments is the French horn. The piece is written in the main key.

The final - This is a real feast in honor of the winner. The power and sweeping chords from the first bars capture the attention of the listener. The theme of the piece is solo in stringed pizzicato, which adds to it mysterious and muffled. The composer skillfully varies the material, changing it, both rhythmically and with the help of polyphonic techniques. Such a development sets up the listener for the perception of a new theme - counterdance. It is this topic that is undergoing further development. Tutti chords are a logical and powerful conclusion.

The use of music in the cinema

Beethoven's third symphony is certainly a bright and memorable music. This allowed many modern filmmakers and producers to use musical material in their own work. It is worth noting that the composition is more popular in foreign cinema.

• Mission Impossible. Tribe rogue (2015)
• Benefactor (2015)
• From the Chef (2015)
• Girls in front of pigs (2013)
• Hitchcock (2012)
• Green Hornet (2011)
• Rock and Chips (2010)
• Frankenhood (2009)
• Soloist (2009)
• When Nietzsche Wept (2007)
• Heroica (2003)
• Opus of Mr. Holland (1995)

Symphony No. 3 is a real pathetics, written in notes. In every measure, Beethoven’s hand is felt. It is from this work that the unique, unique style of the author can be traced.