Beethovens Eroica

"Eroica" In April of 1805, Ludwig Van Beethoven finished his third symphony. It was the time of the French Revolution and Napoleon. Beethoven, a poor, lower-middle class musician living in Bonn, Germany, was affected by the Revolution, as was the rest of European citizens. Napoloen as looked up to during these times. Beethoven believed Napoleon to be "Unique among leaders in his concern for oridnary people." The idea of composing a heroic symphony to honor Napoleon …

…different than traditional minuets. The last movement was a set of variations on a theme from Beethoven's bellet "The Creatures of Prometheus." Never before in history of music had a composers produced such a revolutionary work. It hasbeen said that words cannot describe the symphony. Fourteen years after the work was premiered, a close friend of Beethoven's asked Beethoven which of the eight sumphonies at the time was his favorite. He unhesitantingly replied, "The Eroica."