Beethoven regarded Napoleon as his personal enemy and composed works like the 'Coriolan Overture' and the Fifth Symphony to take a political stand against tyranny.
Notable Performances
The premiere of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 took place on December 8, 1813, in Vienna, eight weeks after the Battle of Nations near Leipzig, where allied troops defeated Napoleon.
Critical Reception
Beethoven's Symphony No. 2, even ten years after its creation, still caused "head-shaking amongst more conservative listeners" due to its 'extreme' and 'bizarre' elements.
Composer Biography
Beethoven expressed his despair over his progressive hearing loss in the 'Heiligenstadt Testament', a letter to his brothers that became famous after his death.
Recording & Production
This album, featuring Beethoven's Symphonies 2 and 7, is the third of a five-CD series of all Beethoven symphonies recorded by Philippe Jordan and the Wiener Symphoniker.
Performer Biography
Philippe Jordan, the conductor on this album, has been appointed Music Director of the Vienna State Opera starting in 2020.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Philippe Jordan, the conductor, believes Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 is his most cheerful and sparkling symphony, suggesting Beethoven used it to musically write himself out of the desperation over his impending deafness.
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