Joachim Nicolas Eggert - Symphony No.4 in C-minor "War and Peace" (1810)

Joachim Nicolas Eggert (22 February 1779 – 14 April 1813) was a Swedish composer and musical director.

Work: Symphony No.4 in C-minor "War and Peace" (1810)

Mov.I: Adagio - Allegro assai 00:00
Mov.II: Adagio 11:57
Mov.III: Menuetto & Trio 18:39
Mov.IV: Fugue: Allegro con spirito 21:24

Orchestra: Gävle Symfoniorkester

Conductor: Gérard Korsten

The Symphony in C minor was probably composed about 1810 as Eggert settled in to the new regime under Carl XIII after a disastrous war and the abdication of Gustav IV Adolph. It appears to have been given its première either the following year or in 1812, just before Eggert set off on his fatal journey south. It was about this year that Breitkopf published the symphony, possibly in advance of the composer’s arrival in Germany and elsewhere.

The opening powerful chords outline a solemn steady march, indeed, almost funereal that dissolves into a mysterious, tension-filled Allegro with a nicely Schubertian second theme, varied at times with transparent orchestration. Cascades of strings and winds lead into an expansive development of new thematic material. This too dissolves into interplay between the winds before the entire movement ends with a powerful coda in C major replete with full percussion.

The second movement features an idyllic pastorale with flutes in their lower register above a flowing clarinet line. The lyrical line evokes a sense of peace and tranquillity, only to be interrupted by booming drums like distant cannon and a unison military theme which becomes harsh and implacable. The peaceful main theme attempts to reestablish itself, but variations on the military tune overwhelm it with trumpet calls and a swirling countermelody on strings. Finally a cavalry charge occurs with clashing cymbals and drums, only to fade away into the languid opening theme that gradually fades into the distance.

The minuet is quite Haydnesque, with a steady theme that is spun out sequentially before moving into a lilting Ländler in the trio.

The finale is based upon a unison brass motive that devolves into a round dance in the major key that seems joyous, with motives bouncing back and forth between the strings and winds. The entire central section is a complex fugue and the ending fades into the background before three final powerful chords.

It has been said that Eggert wrote a symphony entitled “War and Peace”, and although it is not certain which of the four this was, a strong case can be made for this last completed work, for nowhere else in his oeuvre is there such a harsh depiction of military drama as in the second movement.