On This Day!

[Joy]

On April 7, 1805 the first public performance of Beethoven's 3rd Symphony (Eroica) was given with the composer conducting. Beethoven wrote most of the symphony in late 1803 and completed it in early 1804. The symphony was premiered privately in summer 1804 in his patron Prince Lobkowitz's castle Eisenberg (Jezeri) in Bohemia.

[Peter]

Yes and interestingly a symphony by Anton Eberl (mentioned by Arno recently) was also performed on that occasion.

[lvbfanatic]

How Did the 1804/5 Audiences React?

On April 7, 1805 the first public performance of Beethoven's 3rd Symphony (Eroica) was given with the composer conducting. Beethoven wrote most of the symphony in late 1803 and completed it in early 1804. The symphony was premiered privately in summer 1804 in his patron Prince Lobkowitz's castle Eisenberg (Jezeri) in Bohemia.

Does anyone know the public reaction to this major musical innovation? How did the new Beethovinian sounds impact its audience?

[Peter]

Does anyone know the public reaction to this major musical innovation? How did the new Beethovinian sounds impact its audience?

I think most were dumbfounded by it - a minority were aware of the significance and greatness of the piece but the correspondent in the Freymuthige claimed the audience found it much too long and difficult. Czerny recalls someone calling out at the first performance "I'll give another Kreuzer if the thing will but stop". According to Schindler it was banned at the Prague conservatoire as being 'morally corrupting' and in the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung as "a tremedously expanded daring and wild fantasia ...but with too much that is glaring and bizarre .. an example of musical anarchy."

[Joy]

Sounds like nothing much has changed regarding critics, audiences, and music. i.e. Elvis, Beatles, and many other modern/contemporary music makers, etc. etc.

[Sorrano]

Sounds like nothing much has changed regarding critics, audiences, and music. i.e. Elvis, Beatles, and many other modern/contemporary music makers, etc. etc.

People are often afraid of trying new things!

[Hofrat]

The Harmonicon, London, April 1829:

"The 'Heroic Symphony' contains much to admire, but it is difficult to keep up admiration of this kind during three long quarters of an hour. It is infinitely too lengthy.... If this symphony is not abridged by some means, it will soon fall into disuse."

So, 25 years after its premiere, "Eroica" was not receiving good reviews even by a music public that championed Beethoven.

[Hofrat]

Critics kind--never mind!
Critics flatter--no matter!
Critics blame--all the same!
Do your best--damn the rest!

Conan Doyle: Through the Magic Door

[Sorrano]

Critics kind--never mind!
Critics flatter--no matter!
Critics blame--all the same!
Do your best--damn the rest!

Conan Doyle: Through the Magic Door

Bruckner sure could have used that kind of philosophy!

[Michael]

Critics kind--never mind!
Critics flatter--no matter!
Critics blame--all the same!
Do your best--damn the rest!

Conan Doyle: Through the Magic Door

Hofrat, yesterday I just finished reading Andrew Lycett's biography of Conan Doyle! Are you a long-distance mind-reader?