Circle City Clarinerd

While classical music lovers have long cherished the classic opening motif of Beethoven’s Fifth, the pastoral-sounding wind solos in Beethoven 6 and, of course, the “Ode to Joy” melody in Beethoven’s Ninth, Beethoven’s Seventh often lies under the radar.

Yet, upon its premiere in 1812, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 was strikingly well-received. Not only did Beethoven assert that his Seventh Symphony was one of his best works, but critics and fellow musicians also celebrated the piece. Richard Wagner, for example, wrote that the work reflected “the apotheosis of the dance.” While Carl Maria von Weber cited the haunting second movement as evidence that Beethoven was “ripe for the madhouse,” admirers often point to the second movement as one of the most powerful and unforgettable moments in classical music and was presented as an encore immediately following the premiere of Beethoven’s Seventh. (In fact, the culminating wartime address scene in the 2010 blockbuster “The King’s Speech” is set against the musical backdrop of this poignant second movement theme, although viewers do not often recognize it as part of Beethoven’s Seventh).

Although quite short – the work usually runs just under 40 minutes – the Seventh Symphony is rich with upbeat rhythms in the first movement, hints of an Austrian hymn in the third movement and a fourth movement full of intense, furious-sounding sonata form sections. Beethoven’s Seventh also reflects his growing use of tonal tension between key centers – a compositional technique that would characterize Beethoven as the composer who ushered in the Romantic movement.

Thus, although Lang Lang’s performance of Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto will be the true highlight of this Tuesday’s concert at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, be sure to also relish in the beauty of this undervalued but unparalleled Beethoven symphony.