Layout of symphony #3 "Eroica"

Symphony No. 3 in E flat, 'Eroica'

By the time Beethoven entered the symphonic scene in 1800, four movements were standard (fast-slow-minuet-fast), slow introductions common and many changes were taking place. An example of this was the speeding up of the minuet that was later replaced by the scherzo. However, it was Beethoven who broke all the rules of the classical symphony with his Symphony No. 3 in E flat, commonly known as the Eroica.

The Eroica marks a turning point in symphonic writing. It was composed throughout 1803 and 1804 and is twice the length and complexity of the Mozart or Haydn symphonies as it continually builds upon new ideas.

Beethoven originally dedicated this work to the great conqueror Napoleon but later scribbled his name off the front page when Napoleon proclaimed himself emperor. Beethoven believed this was a result of self-interest rather than true democratic spirit and later dedicated the symphony 'to the memory of a great man', presumably the man Napoleon used to be.

Due to the great length, the Eroica was usually performed at the beginning of a concert rather than the end, as people could easily lose interest by this time, already 'worn out' by the other performances.

Scoring:

2 flutes | 2 oboes | 2 clarinets | 2 bassoons

3 horns | 2 trumpets

Strings

Timpani

FIRST MOVEMENT: Allegro con brio
FORM: Sonata form
KEY: E flat major

SECOND MOVEMENT: Marcia Funebre
FORM: Rondo form
KEY: C minor

THIRD MOVEMENT: Scherzo - Allegro vivace
FORM: Ternary form
KEY: E flat major

FOURTH MOVEMENT: Finale - Allegro molto
FORM: Synthesis of sonata, rondo, variations
KEY: E flat major

http://www.archive.org/details/BeethovenSymphonyNo.3eroica