dec 1, 1803 - Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"

Description:

Self-titled "Eroica", was originally dedicated to Napoleon but Beethoven famously crossed out the dedication after learning that Bonaparte declared himself Emperor.

Beethoven conceived of the Eroica on an unprecedented scale in every way: the size of its orchestra, duration, technical demands mande on the players, tonal drama, rhetorical vehemence, and a sense of overriding dynamic purpose uniting the four movements. He aimed beyond entertainment, forcing his contemporaries to rethink what a symphony should be and do. In contrast to his two earlier symphonies, Beethoven gave public indications of an extramusical backgroudn connected to the piece, although what he said shifted over time.

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