1. Beethoven & the Horn
An exploration of
Ludwig van Beethoven,
his creative genius,
and his use of the horn
in two major works.
By Sarah Nietupski
2. Sonata for Horn & Piano Op. 17
Premiered on April 18, 1800 by Punto,
horn, and Beethoven, piano.
Beethoven at age 29.
Written in less than three weeks for a large
concert in Vienna.
3. Sonata for Horn & Piano Op. 17
Movement III
In “Rondo” form – themes that repeat and can
be broken into a systematic form such as
“ABA.”
“A” will be the first melody played by me.
How many times do you hear “A” in this piece?
4. Answer:
“A”
comes back 4-5 times in pieces, but 3
times total – trick question!
Rondo: ABACA
5. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Transitioned the world from the Classical
to Romantic Era.
One of the world’s most inventive and
creative geniuses.
First composition published around age
12.
Early symphonies and works pushed the
boundaries of the Classical Era.
6. Beethoven’s Hearing Loss
Began to notice deafness around 1796.
Ruined his social life.
Made more public in 1802 through
“Heiligenstadt Testament.”
Used music to transcend painful emotions.
7. Symphony No. 3: Eroica
Composed in 1803 and premiered in Vienna on
April 7, 1805.
Ground-breaking piece for Beethoven and the
musical world as a whole.
Originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte until
he became the Emperor.
Kicked off the beginning of a new age for
Beethoven – his “Heroic” Period.
8. Movements of the Eroica
Movement one: Introduces theme of hero.
Movement two: “Marche Funebre” – Memory of
Napoleon.
Movement three: Post-mortem call of the hero
through the hunting horn trio section.
Movement four: “Motto” of the hero.
9. Outstanding Qualities of the Eroica
New level of composition for Beethoven.
Music of growth than transcends pain and
finds heroism and triumph in life.
One of the first symphonies to…
Have extra-musical title (Eroica=Heroic)
Have “forcefulness, expanded range and
evident radical intent.” (Grove Dictionary)
Include three horns instead of two.
10. The Horn in the 18th & 19th Centuries
Evolved in Austria-Bohemia Regions (not
France!)
Popularity as a hunting horn spread, “regarded
as an essential status symbol without which a
nobleman’s court was not considered complete”
(Fitzpatrick).
But there is a catch…
11. The Hand Horn
No valves!
1750-1830 (Death of Beethoven)
1750: First time the performer used his or her
right hand to manipulate pitch.
To this day, still a very virtuosic art.
Both the Eroica & Sonata Op. 17 were originally
played on hand horns.
12. Horns in Symphony No. 3
Used to thematically signify heroism in the piece.
“Instrument of the mounted hunt…all embody
the horn’s power to evoke the concepts of valor
and of the out-of-doors; and what instrument
could better call a picture of God marching into
the world than the horn?” (Fitzpatrick)
No better instrument to signify triumph or
Beethoven himself than the call of the horns!
13. Third Movement: Scherzo & Trio
Addition of three horns added force and dignity.
“Call to the people awaiting a hero.”
Ex. French Revolution + Napoleon’s destruction.
Listening #1: Valved horns & modern
instruments
Listening #2: Hand horns & period instruments
14. Beethoven: A Creative Genius &
Musical Hero
Symphony No. 3 as a metaphor:
French Revolution
Beethoven as a man and hero,
overcoming fate to pursue his creative
genius.
New life and growth manifests through
triumph and heroism.
Went on to compose six more phenomenal
symphonies and hundreds of other works.
15. Thank you for listening!
Special thanks to Dr. Colleen Conway, Kerwin Leader,
Dr. Marty Marks, and Ann Konz for helping me make
this happen!
Questions or comments?
“…only art it was that withheld me, ah it seemed impossible to leave
the world until I had produced all that I felt called upon me to
produce” – Beethoven, Heiligenstadt Testament, 1802.