PROGRAM NOTES
BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO . 7
tuning systems . The first version called for both the soloist and the orchestra to play in “ just ” intonation , that is , with intervals between the notes of the scale differently tuned than in the conventional manner . But at the first rehearsal in Los Angeles I realized almost immediately and to my intense distress that the seventy players in the orchestra could not possibly agree on the minute distinctions between frequencies that I ’ d required in their parts . I was still able to keep the strange “ natural ” intervals of the brass partials and the otherworldly resonances of the harps , samplers , and piano , who remain tuned to a special “ just ” scale based on B-major .
The second part is “ Sri Moonshine ,” a tip of the hat to Terry Riley , not only the composer of In C and A Rainbow in Curved Air , but also a master of Indian raga singing . The easygoing roll of the rhythm gives way to a more insistent throb , producing a dance-like effect like a gigantic , pulsing gamelan .
Instrumentation Two bass clarinets , four horns , three trumpets , two trombones , contrabass trombone , tuba , timpani , percussion , two synthesizers , two harps , piano , and strings .
Ludwig van Beethoven
Born December 1770 in Bonn , Germany Died March 26 , 1827 in Vienna , Austria
SYMPHONY NO . 7
In 1811 , the ailing Beethoven took his doctor ’ s advice and spent the summer in the Bohemian spa town of Teplitz . The trip succeeded in refreshing Beethoven ’ s health and spirits , and soon he started on a new symphony , his first in three years . He completed the Symphony No . 7 the following spring , but with the Napoleonic Wars disrupting concert life in Vienna , the new work did not reach the public until the end of 1813 , when Beethoven conducted a benefit concert for wounded soldiers .
The Seventh Symphony begins with an introduction , the structure favored by Haydn in his late symphonies . Typically , this would be a slow introduction , but Beethoven ’ s Poco sostenuto tempo has unusual forward drive , its momentum reinforced by repeated notes and rising scales . The introduction is also of an unprecedented length , lasting nearly four minutes before a single repeated pitch links into the lively
Vivace continuation , set in a rollicking triple meter infused with the snap of dotted rhythms .
The Allegretto second movement again defies the expectation of slow music . It explores a distinctive rhythmic stamp ( long , short-short , long , long ), advancing a simple theme while expanding the scoring from lower strings to the full orchestra . A contrasting major-key section with broad phrases and pulsing pizzicato intervenes twice , but variants of the opening figure return each time as the heartbeat of the music , even when it is reduced to a skeletal final statement . The audience at the premiere was so struck by this movement that they demanded an encore , and it has been a fan favorite ever since .
The third movement is a Scherzo in all but name , Beethoven ’ s supercharged answer to Haydn ’ s minuets . It features cheeky rhythmic play and sudden dynamic contrast , as would be expected from a palate-cleansing third movement ; more surprising is the strangely earnest trio section , with winds intoning a hymn-like chorale over droning violins . Instead of the typical three-part structure in which the trio appears once as a central departure , here it enters twice and then echoes again in the movement ’ s coda .
The finale is another marvel of rhythmic drive , with its vigorous accents on the offbeats . It is no wonder that Richard Wagner called this symphony “ the apotheosis of the dance ” — each movement is a celebration of relentless , infectious rhythms .
Instrumentation Two flutes , two oboes , two clarinets , two bassoons , two horns , two trumpets , timpani , and strings .
Maximilian Franz
Musical Terms Counterpoint : The relationship between two or more melodies in a musical composition . Portamento : Meaning “ carriage ,” a pitch sliding from one note to another . Blue note : In jazz and blues , a note that is sung or played at a pitch lower than what is “ standard .” Gamelan : A collection of musical instruments , primarily percussion with gong- or bell-like sounds . It is traditional music of the Javanese , Sundanese , and Balinese peoples of Indonesia . Pizzicato : To pluck the string of the instrument with one ’ s finger .
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