Overture to Egmont
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

THE STORY

Beethoven lived much of his early life in the midst of social upheaval throughout Europe and beyond, with the rise of Enlightenment ideals and the decline of monarchical rule. As a young man, he observed the French Revolution with awe. He too would become a revolutionary—not only in his music, but also in his politics and philosophy.

Beethoven was profoundly affected by the writings of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and leapt at the chance to compose music in 1809 for the Vienna premiere of Goethe’s play Egmont. Written in 1787, the play tells the story of the titular Dutch count, struggling for freedom from the imperial rule of Spain. Sentenced to death for his rebellion, Count Egmont delivers an impassioned call for independence before being executed, unbowed by oppression.

It was popular at that time to have incidental music accompany stage productions (a precursor to soundtracks for films); Beethoven composed an Overture and nine incidental pieces depicting scenes from the play. Goethe himself said “Beethoven has done wonders matching music to the text.” Though the scenic music has largely been disregarded, the Overture has stood the test of time and is today one of Beethoven’s most-performed works.

LISTEN FOR

• The transition from the opening introduction of the Overture into the faster, stormy middle section
• The final bars of the fast middle section, in which the decapitation of Egmont is musically depicted in the violins

INSTRUMENTATION

Piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, timpani, strings