Wider Symphonies: Beethoven no.3 Flashcards
What was the historical context behind this symphony? How did this change?
-Napoleon’s military victories
-When Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France, Beethoven began to dislike him
When was this symphony composed?
1803
What is this symphony known as?
Eroica (heroic)
What key is this symphony in?
Eb Major
The structure is based on the journey of a hero - describe this journey
-The hero’s struggles
-The victory over said struggles
-The hero’s untimely death
-The building of a monument for the hero
What is movement 1 like length-wise?
Long!
How can the theme of movement 1 be described?
A triumphant, triadic theme with an unexpected C#
What is the key of the theme in the development of movement 1?
E minor (very far from the tonic of Eb major)
How is the orchestra used in the first movement?
Aggressive use of the orchestra with harsh dissonance and sudden sfortzandos
What is the time signature of the first movement and is the normal?
3/4, strage for a first movement
What is the key signature of the second movement?
C minor (sombre funeral march)
What is the structure of the second movement?
Rondo
Name a textural device used in the second movement
Double fugue
How does movement 2 finish?
With a fragmented version of the theme
Describe the instrumentation in the trio of movement 3
3 horns ‘solo’
Give one word that can be used to describe movement 3 and explain
Scherzo - faster, lighter and more playful than the traditional minuet and trio
What is the structure of movement 4?
Theme and variations including a fugue (one of which is on the inverted bass subject)
The tempo changes at the end of movement 4 to…
presto
How is the sense of drama achieved throughout the symphony?
-Huge orchestra
-Long movements
-Sudden dynamic, textural and harmonic changes
Give examples of how this symphony showcases complex writing
-Adventurous modulations and chord progressions
-Fugal writing
-Structural changes
Give examples of modulations throughout this symphony
first movement starts in Eb major but heads to keys like E minor and C major
What instruments does this symphony require?
-strings
-2 flutes
-2 oboes
-2 clarinets
-2 bassoons
-3 horns
-2 trumpets
-timpani
What is the structure of the structure of the first movement?
sonata form that is expanded and made more dramatic
In the development section of movement 1 there is a….which is like a fugue but….
-fugato
-doesnt follow the exact same rules
