Beethoven 3 Flashcards
Overview
Dedicated to ‘an heroic character’, initially Napoleon until he declared himself Emperor. The piece represents the hero’s struggle, battle then success.
Form
4 movements but expanded in length and complexity of musical material.
Mvt 1: Overview
Heroic arpeggiated theme finishing on unexpected note, unexpected chords, aggressive tutti orchestral writing and a ‘resolution’ of the theme at the end of Mvt 1.
Mvt 1: Expo
Simple arpeggio theme representing hero in Eb but finishing on unexpected C#; uncertainty.
Mvt 1: Dev
Early horn entry just before recap (musical joke), orchestra plays Neapolian chord (F in Eminor) but adds an E ; played aggressively = unexpected dissonance. Ambitious modulations. Long section.
Mvt 1: Recap
Finishes with diatonic version of Eb theme without C# - overcoming adversity.
Mvt 2
Funeral march in C minor in Rondo form, brief use of C major, return to opening mournful theme, double fugue before finishing with the dominant and fragmented version of the opening theme, drama of full orchestra then fragmented version of funeral march theme in C minor.
Mvt 3
Scherzo; fast and aggressive.
Mvt 4
Complex theme and variations, including a fugue and presto change of tempo.
Orchestra
Larger orchestra and used in more aggressive tone with full tutti chords. Virtuosic horn writing in Scherzo.
Harmony & Tonality
Unexpected C# in first theme, daring modulations and dissonance (aggressive use of Neapolitan in Mvt 1).
Humour, drama, narrative & programme
Homage to heroism. Early Romantic music - programmatic music?
Melody and theme
Complex developments - theme and variations in Mvt 4 and chromaticism in Mvt 1
Texture
More use of homorhythmic textures for impact, fugue in Mvt 4, moments of mel. dom. hom. and also much imitation/dialogue
Rhythm/Tempo/Metre
Aggressive tutti syncopation in Mvt. 1, 3/4 opening and theme and variations for Mvt 4. Symphony 5 triplet rhythmic idea first heard in Mvt 2 of the Eroica.
Dance, folk & national
Aggressive Scherzo
Patronage
Prince Lobkowitz, a noble Austrian patron based in Vienna
Key info
Beethoven 3 1803 Eb Major
