The Handel and Haydn Society will perform Beethoven’s Revolutionary Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” at the Symphony Hall on January 20 and 22, 2023. Led by Czech conductor Václav Lux, the concert combines H+H’s first symphony, La Tempesta in D Minor, with “Eroica” by Czech composer Paul Ranitsky, a contemporary of Mozart and Beethoven. The concert begins with the H+H Youth Choruses performing a piece by one of Mozart’s mentors, Giovanni his Martini’s Domine, Adjuvandum me Festina.
Inspired by the French Revolution, Beethoven’s Third Symphony is full of power and emotion. From the epic first movement to the tragic depths of the funeral march to the virtuoso solo of the triumphant finale, “Eroica” showcases Beethoven’s growing musical palette and is considered a milestone in musical history and what we think It is the invention of the modern symphony. of it today. Befitting its innovative and revolutionary character, “Eroica” was not an immediate hit at his 1804 premiere, but only two years later critics called it “the greatest, most original.” most artistic, and at the same time the most interesting.” all symphonies. ”
“‘Eroica’ is a groundbreaking and revolutionary work, a new, groundbreaking and bold new statement ever made. Playing this masterpiece on the instruments Beethoven knew and wrote will sweep away the cobwebs, It brings back all the heartfelt passion that Beethoven felt he wanted to express.” said David Snead of Philip and Marjorie Gardin, President and CEO of the Handel and Haydn Society. “Audiences who know this famous work only from the performances of large symphony orchestras on 20th-century instruments will, in the words of eminent conductor John Eliot Gardiner, “clearer, more transparent. And you’ll experience the piece anew with a greater sense of excitement, freshness and enthusiasm: ‘All of that passionate energy was vividly displayed.’
The concert opens with Czech composer Paul Ranitsky’s symphony in D minor, ‘La Tempesta’. Acclaimed by Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven, Franitzky was a prolific composer and one of Vienna’s leading conductors of the late 18th century. “La Tempesta” chronicles a slowly building sea storm until a bass drum takes over for a thunderous finale.
Conductor Vaclav Lux is the founder and artistic director of the Baroque Orchestra Collegium 1704 and the Vocal Ensemble Collegium Vocal 1704 in Prague. He debuted with his H+H last season and most recently led his H+H choir and Messiah orchestra at Symphony His Hall.
