Wider Symphonies: Beethoven no.3

Question 1

What was the historical context behind this symphony? How did this change?

Answer 1

-Napoleon’s military victories
-When Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France, Beethoven began to dislike him

Question 2

When was this symphony composed?

Answer 2

1803

Question 3

What is this symphony known as?

Answer 3

Eroica (heroic)

Question 4

What key is this symphony in?

Answer 4

Eb Major

Question 5

The structure is based on the journey of a hero - describe this journey

Answer 5

-The hero’s struggles
-The victory over said struggles
-The hero’s untimely death
-The building of a monument for the hero

Question 6

What is movement 1 like length-wise?

Answer 6

Long!

Question 7

How can the theme of movement 1 be described?

Answer 7

A triumphant, triadic theme with an unexpected C#

Question 8

What is the key of the theme in the development of movement 1?

Answer 8

E minor (very far from the tonic of Eb major)

Question 9

How is the orchestra used in the first movement?

Answer 9

Aggressive use of the orchestra with harsh dissonance and sudden sfortzandos

Question 10

What is the time signature of the first movement and is the normal?

Answer 10

3/4, strage for a first movement

Question 11

What is the key signature of the second movement?

Answer 11

C minor (sombre funeral march)

Question 12

What is the structure of the second movement?

Answer 12

Rondo

Question 13

Name a textural device used in the second movement

Answer 13

Double fugue

Question 14

How does movement 2 finish?

Answer 14

With a fragmented version of the theme

Question 15

Describe the instrumentation in the trio of movement 3

Answer 15

3 horns ‘solo’

Question 16

Give one word that can be used to describe movement 3 and explain

Answer 16

Scherzo - faster, lighter and more playful than the traditional minuet and trio

Question 17

What is the structure of movement 4?

Answer 17

Theme and variations including a fugue (one of which is on the inverted bass subject)

Question 18

The tempo changes at the end of movement 4 to…

Answer 18

presto

Question 19

How is the sense of drama achieved throughout the symphony?

Answer 19

-Huge orchestra
-Long movements
-Sudden dynamic, textural and harmonic changes

Question 20

Give examples of how this symphony showcases complex writing

Answer 20

-Adventurous modulations and chord progressions
-Fugal writing
-Structural changes

Question 21

Give examples of modulations throughout this symphony

Answer 21

first movement starts in Eb major but heads to keys like E minor and C major

Question 22

What instruments does this symphony require?

Answer 22

-strings
-2 flutes
-2 oboes
-2 clarinets
-2 bassoons
-3 horns
-2 trumpets
-timpani

Question 23

What is the structure of the structure of the first movement?

Answer 23

sonata form that is expanded and made more dramatic

Question 24

In the development section of movement 1 there is a….which is like a fugue but….

Answer 24

-fugato
-doesnt follow the exact same rules