Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 | Herbert Blomstedt & the Gewandhaus Orchestra (2015)

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, is “the symphony par excellence” – this was the opinion of no less a figure than the famous philosopher, sociologist, and musicologist Theodor W. Adorno. The 7th Symphony, radiating joy and a positive attitude towards life, will be performed by the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig under the direction of Herbert Blomstedt. The concert took place in May 2015 at the Gewandhaus Leipzig.

(00:00) I. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
(14:29) II. Allegretto
(22:42) III. Presto
(31:27) IV. Allegro con brio

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) composed Symphony No. 7 in A major between September 1811 and around April 1812. The handwritten score lists May 13, 1812, as the date of completion. Beethoven stated that he always had the whole in mind when composing his Seventh. Indeed, the entire symphony is permeated by rhythmic motifs in which an opening motif is repeated, developed, and varied. This gives the 7th Symphony not only its cohesive effect but also its momentum. Richard Wagner (1813 – 1883) therefore called this Beethoven symphony an “apotheosis of dance.”

The premiere of Symphony No. 7 took place on December 8, 1813 in Vienna under Beethoven himself. Although his hearing was already severely impaired at this time, Beethoven was at the height of his fame and was even considered the greatest instrumental composer of his time. With the 7th Symphony, the classical composer celebrated one of his greatest successes – not least because the symphonic work was performed at exactly the right historical moment: from October 16 to 19, 1813, the so-called “Battle of the Nations at Leipzig” took place, which marked the beginning of the retreat of Napoleon’s troops from Germany. A patriotically charged benefit concert was held for the victorious anti-Napoleonic fighters – the perfect occasion for Beethoven’s cheerfully optimistic Symphony No. 7. Beethoven’s patriotic zeal was already praised in the reviews of the symphony’s premiere, and so from the outset the great orchestral work was placed in the context of the Wars of Liberation from Napoleon’s rule – even though it has already been completed beforehand.

The Swedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt was director of the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig from 1998 to 2005. He returns to the Saxon city annually to perform with “his” former orchestra. The 2015 concert revives the collaboration between the internationally sought-after conductor and Germany’s top orchestra – and Maestro Blomstedt, then almost 88 years old, appears as vibrant as ever.

© 2015 Accentus Music

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