4th symphony (Beethoven)
Ludwig van Beethoven's 4th Symphony in B flat major Op. 60 was very popular during the composer's lifetime, whereas today it is one of his symphonies , which are comparatively seldom played .
Emergence
The work was completed in the autumn of 1806, i.e. in a phase when Beethoven found himself in a state of elation because of his love for Comtesse Josephine Brunsvik , widowed Countess Deym, which is particularly evident in the striking theme 1 (1st movement, Allegro) shows that spins into a serene emotional ecstasy. Ignaz von Seyfried characterized the sound poet at this time as "cheerful, ready for any joke, cheerful, lively, cheerful, funny, often satirical". This feeling of happiness is reflected in his fourth symphony; the orchestral work is generally friendly, bright and idyllic. Strangely enough, this does not reveal itself from the start, since the Adagio introduction to the first movement is in a dark B flat minor . The battle symphony Wellingtons Sieg , composed later, is very reminiscent of this 4th, as it contains very similar marching themes in the first movement. Robert Schumann described this symphony, dedicated to Count Franz von Oppersdorff , as the “most romantic” of all Beethoven's symphonies and also characterized it as “a slim Greek maiden between two Nordland giants” (meaning the 3rd and 5th symphonies).
The first performance of the work took place in March 1807 in the Palais of Prince Lobkowitz in Vienna under the direction of the composer. The work was presented to the public for the first time on November 15 of the same year in Vienna's Burgtheater .
Orchestral line-up
1 flute , 2 oboes , 2 clarinets , 2 bassoons , 2 horns , 2 trumpets , timpani , strings in 5 voices (first and second violins , violas , cellos , double basses )
Sentence names
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1st movement: Adagio - Allegro vivace | |
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2nd movement: Adagio | |
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3rd movement: Menuetto - Trio: Allegro vivace - Un poco meno allegro | |
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4th movement: Allegro ma non troppo |
literature
- Renate Ulm (Ed.): The 9 symphonies of Beethoven. Origin, interpretation, effect. Foreword by Lorin Maazel . 6th edition. Bärenreiter, Kassel u. a. 2009, ISBN 978-3-7618-1241-9 ( Bärenreiter introduction to works ).
- Carl Dahlhaus : Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony IV in B flat major [op.60] . Fink, Munich 1979, ISBN 3-7705-1740-7 ( Masterpieces of Music H. 20).
Web links
- 4th Symphony (Beethoven) : Sheet music and audio files in the International Music Score Library Project
- Complete score
- Online audio video of a complete rendition of Beethoven's 4th Symphony in a concert by the Berliner Philharmoniker under Sir Simon Rattle (free of charge, 2010, " Digital Concert Hall ")