NZSO playing Eroica Photo: Screengrab NZSO
Whether Beethoven liked it or not, this symphony was inspired by the greatness of Napoleon, or at least the greatness Beethoven once believed Napoleon had. But after Napoleon had shown his true colours, there was now only a shadowy ideal ‘great man’ to fill the place Napoleon once occupied in Beethoven’s mind.
Still, it typifies heroism – as the composer saw it. The E flat major chords that kickstart the third symphony are decisive, definite, firm, like the hammer blows of a gavel or the slashes of a sword. Though the main theme seems lyrical enough, the churning harmonic motor keeps the theme from becoming sentimental. Instead, when the full orchestra joins in, the main theme is triumphant, bold and joyous.
By contrast, the slow Marcia funebre (funeral march) is solemn and grave – the hero in ceremonial mourning. But even in this portrait of grave heroism, Beethoven inserts his own innovation, building to a harmonically (and unusually) rich and emotionally powerful climax, before slowly ebbing away (though not without a coda that pops up just when you think the movement is going to finish, elongating your sense of anticipation by delaying resolution).
As the symphony progresses, more of Beethoven’s character takes hold, while the picture of an ideal hero recedes into the background.
The third movement is a Scherzo, which Beethoven popularised as a symphony’s third movement, substituting for the more usual minuet. It also includes a trio that features three horns, somewhat unusually; it would be more common to have either two horns or four, not three.
And the final movement is a theme and variations, a form that Beethoven would return to again and again over his career for the opportunities it provides for inventive, innovative writing.
In the end then, Beethoven’s Eroica takes on the character, predilections and interests of Beethoven, shucking off the spectre of Napoleon. (Notes: NZSO)
Recorded 27 September 2020, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert
Producer: David McCaw
Engineer: Darryl Stack
