Beethoven & the Beethoven & the HornHorn

By Sarah NietupskiBy Sarah Nietupski

An exploration of An exploration of Ludwig van Ludwig van Beethoven, his Beethoven, his creative genius,creative genius,and his use of the and his use of the horn horn in two major works.in two major works.

Sonata for Horn & Piano Op. Sonata for Horn & Piano Op. 1717

Premiered on April 18, 1800 by Premiered on April 18, 1800 by Punto, horn, and Beethoven, piano. Punto, horn, and Beethoven, piano.

Beethoven at age 29. Beethoven at age 29.

Written in less than three weeks for Written in less than three weeks for a large concert in Vienna.a large concert in Vienna.

Sonata for Horn & Piano Op. Sonata for Horn & Piano Op. 1717

Movement IIIMovement III In “Rondo” form – themes that repeat and In “Rondo” form – themes that repeat and

can be broken into a systematic form such can be broken into a systematic form such as “ABA.” as “ABA.”

“ “A” will be the first melody played by me.A” will be the first melody played by me.

How many times do you hear “A” in this How many times do you hear “A” in this piece? piece?

Answer:Answer:

“A” comes back 4-5 times in pieces, but 3 times total – trick question!

Rondo: ABACA

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)1827)

Transitioned the world from the Transitioned the world from the Classical to Romantic Era.Classical to Romantic Era.

One of the world’s most inventive One of the world’s most inventive and creative geniuses. and creative geniuses.

First composition published around First composition published around age 12. age 12.

Early symphonies and works pushed Early symphonies and works pushed the boundaries of the Classical Era.the boundaries of the Classical Era.

Beethoven’s Hearing LossBeethoven’s Hearing Loss

Began to notice deafness around 1796.Began to notice deafness around 1796.

Ruined his social life.Ruined his social life.

Made more public in 1802 through Made more public in 1802 through “Heiligenstadt Testament.” “Heiligenstadt Testament.”

Used music to transcend painful Used music to transcend painful emotions.emotions.

Symphony No. 3: Symphony No. 3: EroicaEroica Composed in 1803 and premiered in Composed in 1803 and premiered in

Vienna on April 7, 1805. Vienna on April 7, 1805.

Ground-breaking piece for Beethoven and Ground-breaking piece for Beethoven and the musical world as a whole.the musical world as a whole.

Originally dedicated to Napoleon Originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte until he became the Emperor.Bonaparte until he became the Emperor.

Kicked off the beginning of a new age for Kicked off the beginning of a new age for Beethoven – his “Heroic” Period. Beethoven – his “Heroic” Period.

Movements of the Movements of the EroicaEroica Movement one: Introduces theme of hero.Movement one: Introduces theme of hero.

Movement two: “Marche Funebre” – Movement two: “Marche Funebre” – Memory of Napoleon. Memory of Napoleon.

Movement three: Post-mortem call of the Movement three: Post-mortem call of the hero through the hunting horn trio hero through the hunting horn trio section. section.

Movement four: “Motto” of the hero. Movement four: “Motto” of the hero.

Outstanding Qualities of the Outstanding Qualities of the EroicaEroica

New level of composition for Beethoven.New level of composition for Beethoven. Music of growth than transcends pain and finds heroism and triumph in Music of growth than transcends pain and finds heroism and triumph in

life.life.

One of the first symphonies to…One of the first symphonies to… Have extra-musical title (Have extra-musical title (Eroica=HeroicEroica=Heroic)) Have “forcefulness, expanded range and evident radical intent.” (Grove Have “forcefulness, expanded range and evident radical intent.” (Grove

Dictionary)Dictionary) Include three horns instead of two.Include three horns instead of two.

The Horn in the 18The Horn in the 18thth & 19 & 19thth CenturiesCenturies

Evolved in Austria-Bohemia Regions (not Evolved in Austria-Bohemia Regions (not France!)France!)

Popularity as a hunting horn spread, Popularity as a hunting horn spread, “regarded as an essential status symbol “regarded as an essential status symbol without which a nobleman’s court was not without which a nobleman’s court was not considered complete” (Fitzpatrick). considered complete” (Fitzpatrick).

But there is a catch…But there is a catch…

The Hand Horn The Hand Horn

No valves!No valves!

1750-1830 (Death of Beethoven)1750-1830 (Death of Beethoven)

1750: First time the performer used his or 1750: First time the performer used his or her right hand to manipulate pitch. her right hand to manipulate pitch.

To this day, still a very virtuosic art. To this day, still a very virtuosic art. Both the Both the EroicaEroica & Sonata Op. 17 were & Sonata Op. 17 were

originally played on hand horns. originally played on hand horns.

Horns in Symphony No. 3Horns in Symphony No. 3 Used to thematically signify heroism in the Used to thematically signify heroism in the

piece. piece.

““Instrument of the mounted hunt…all Instrument of the mounted hunt…all embody the horn’s power to evoke the embody the horn’s power to evoke the concepts of valor and of the out-of-doors; concepts of valor and of the out-of-doors; and what instrument could better call a and what instrument could better call a picture of God marching into the world than picture of God marching into the world than the hornthe horn?” (Fitzpatrick)?” (Fitzpatrick)

No better instrument to signify triumph or No better instrument to signify triumph or Beethoven himself than the call of the horns! Beethoven himself than the call of the horns!

Third Movement: Scherzo & Third Movement: Scherzo & TrioTrio

Addition of three horns added force and Addition of three horns added force and dignity.dignity.

““Call to the people awaiting a hero.” Call to the people awaiting a hero.” Ex. French Revolution + Napoleon’s Ex. French Revolution + Napoleon’s

destruction.destruction.

Listening #1: Valved horns & modern Listening #1: Valved horns & modern instrumentsinstruments

Listening #2: Hand horns & period Listening #2: Hand horns & period instruments instruments

Beethoven: A Creative Genius & Beethoven: A Creative Genius & Musical HeroMusical Hero

Symphony No. 3 as a metaphor:Symphony No. 3 as a metaphor: French RevolutionFrench RevolutionBeethoven as a man and hero, Beethoven as a man and hero,

overcoming fate to pursue his overcoming fate to pursue his creative genius.creative genius. New life and growth manifests New life and growth manifests

through triumph and heroism.through triumph and heroism.Went on to compose six more Went on to compose six more

phenomenal symphonies and phenomenal symphonies and hundreds of other works.hundreds of other works.

Thank you for listening!Thank you for listening! Special thanks to Dr. Colleen Conway, Kerwin Special thanks to Dr. Colleen Conway, Kerwin

Leader, Dr. Marty Marks, and Ann Konz for Leader, Dr. Marty Marks, and Ann Konz for helping me make this happen!helping me make this happen!

Questions or comments? Questions or comments?

“…“…only art it was that withheld me, ah it seemed impossible only art it was that withheld me, ah it seemed impossible to leave the world until I had produced all that I felt to leave the world until I had produced all that I felt called upon me to produce” – called upon me to produce” – Beethoven, Heiligenstadt Beethoven, Heiligenstadt Testament, 1802. Testament, 1802.