Music Essay on Beethoven's Heroic Style
Moira Loh Loh 1
Ms Yang Tien
Music Historical Overview
3rd September
Beethoven and the heroic style Early eighteenth century marked the beginning of the middle period, which was said to be the most productive period out of his three compositional periods as some of his most magnificent works were produced during this time (Lockwood, 194). In this paper, I will examine the heroic style - why it came about, what are some characteristics of ‘heroic’ music and through the analysis of a ‘product of the times’ (Taruskin) , compare the differences between the music of the heroic style and that of before. The middle period is also known as the heroic period from 1803 – 1812 is after the Viennese period and before the Late Period. The middle period starts off with a few of Beethoven’s most famous pieces, all of which contain a ‘heroic’ element about them (Oxford Grove Online). Why heroic then? It was not that Beethoven was a hero for his new compositional styles or his personal struggles but the term ‘heroic’ was used to describe Beethoven’s works during early eighteenth century (Broyles, 111). Furthermore, there were many factors that contributed to the evolution of the heroic style. Towards the end of the Viennese Period, Beethoven showed great dissatisfaction to many of his works. However, the end of the Classical period saw many changes, one major change was the Age of Enlightenment and the French Revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte was a major influence in Beethoven’s music and even dedicated what can be considered his greatest symphony to Napoleon (Lockwood, 186).
One of the pieces that could be considered the mark of the beginning of the heroic style would be Beethoven’s famous Symphony No.3 Op.55, also known as the ‘Eroica’ or Loh 2
Heroic Symphony. Just with this one symphony, Beethoven was able to revolutionize music by brilliantly manipulating the rules that had previously been set during the Classical period that set
Ms Yang Tien
Music Historical Overview
3rd September
Beethoven and the heroic style Early eighteenth century marked the beginning of the middle period, which was said to be the most productive period out of his three compositional periods as some of his most magnificent works were produced during this time (Lockwood, 194). In this paper, I will examine the heroic style - why it came about, what are some characteristics of ‘heroic’ music and through the analysis of a ‘product of the times’ (Taruskin) , compare the differences between the music of the heroic style and that of before. The middle period is also known as the heroic period from 1803 – 1812 is after the Viennese period and before the Late Period. The middle period starts off with a few of Beethoven’s most famous pieces, all of which contain a ‘heroic’ element about them (Oxford Grove Online). Why heroic then? It was not that Beethoven was a hero for his new compositional styles or his personal struggles but the term ‘heroic’ was used to describe Beethoven’s works during early eighteenth century (Broyles, 111). Furthermore, there were many factors that contributed to the evolution of the heroic style. Towards the end of the Viennese Period, Beethoven showed great dissatisfaction to many of his works. However, the end of the Classical period saw many changes, one major change was the Age of Enlightenment and the French Revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte was a major influence in Beethoven’s music and even dedicated what can be considered his greatest symphony to Napoleon (Lockwood, 186).
One of the pieces that could be considered the mark of the beginning of the heroic style would be Beethoven’s famous Symphony No.3 Op.55, also known as the ‘Eroica’ or Loh 2
Heroic Symphony. Just with this one symphony, Beethoven was able to revolutionize music by brilliantly manipulating the rules that had previously been set during the Classical period that set
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