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Beethoven · Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A major

Wagner called it "the apotheosis of the dance"

Key
A major
Composed
1812
Premiere
1813 Vienna
Duration
about 37 min
Movements
4 movements
Instrumentation
Woodwinds 2·2·2·2 · Brass 2·2·0·0 · Timpani · Strings

The story behind this piece

Written in 1811–12, it premiered in Vienna on December 8, 1813, conducted by Beethoven. The same concert also featured Wellington's Victory, a depiction of a victory in war.

The premiere was a huge success. The audience demanded that the 2nd movement be played again on the spot. Beethoven, nearly deaf by then, is said to have conducted by leaping and flailing his arms at the loud passages and crouching low at the quiet ones.

The whole piece surges along like a dance, driven by repeating rhythms. That is why Wagner called it "the apotheosis of the dance." Beethoven himself was fond of it.

What to listen for

  • 1st movement: after a long introduction, a bouncing "da-DUM da" rhythm carries on throughout the movement
  • 2nd movement, Allegretto: a solemn march in which the same rhythm repeats while instruments are added one by one. This is the movement that was encored at the premiere
  • 3rd movement: the slow trio appears twice, and when it tries to come a third time, it cuts off abruptly

Listen · Score

Credits