Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"

Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55, nicknamed "Eroica" ("Heroic"), stands as one of his most revolutionary works. Composed in 1803–1804 during a period of personal turmoil—including his growing deafness—it was originally subtitled "composed to celebrate the memory of a great man" and intended to honor Napoleon Bonaparte, whom Beethoven initially saw as a liberator from tyranny. The second movement's monumental Funeral March draws on the somber gravitas of Masonic funeral music traditions, while the finale unleashes a exuberant set of variations on his own Prometheus ballet theme, symbolizing heroic triumph. Interestingly, Beethoven famously scratched out Napoleon's name from the title page upon learning of his self-coronation as Emperor in 1804, declaring "Now he will trample on all human rights... he will exalt himself above all others." Far ahead of its time in scope and emotional depth—nearly twice as long as typical symphonies of the era—it broke from Haydn and Mozart's classical mold, pioneering the Romantic symphony with its bold structural innovations and philosophical intensity, offering a profound glimpse into Beethoven's vision of heroism amid crisis.

Artwork: “Napoleon at the Great St. Bernard” by Jacques-Louis David, 1801

Tracklist:

00:00 Symphony No. 3 Eroica, Op. 55: I. Allegro con brio
15:40 Symphony No. 3 Eroica, Op. 55: II. Marcia funebre - Adagio assai
31:21 Symphony No. 3 Eroica, Op. 55: III. Scherzo - Allegro vivace
37:14 Symphony No. 3 Eroica, Op. 55: IV. Finale - Allegro molto - Poco andante - Presto

Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, Peter Maag

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