Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 | Bernard Haitink & the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (2009)
2,012,673
Published 2022-12-29
(00:00) Introduction
(00:35) I. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
(14:46) II. Allegretto
(22:46) III. Presto
(32:08) IV. Allegro con brio
Ask a person on the street what their favorite Beethoven symphony is, and they’ll likely say the Fifth, or the Ninth. But ask a classical musician, and a surprising number of times you'll hear: The Seventh. "Here every impetuosity, every longing and ranting of the heart becomes a blissful exuberance of joy." Those effusive words came from the pen of composer Richard Wagner, when he was describing the Symphony No. 7 in A Major, opus 92 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827).
Composed between 1811 and 1812, Beethoven's Seventh provoked very different reactions from the beginning – it seems to have touched everyone deeply. The main themes in Beethoven's 7th Symphony are triumph and tragedy – the tragedy having to do with the second movement, a sort of funeral procession. It was so well loved at its very first performance that the audience called for it to be repeated. This movement is marked "Allegretto," which can be translated as "slightly fast." But for a funeral march? Certainly, the first listeners must have perceived it as such. The premiere performance of Beethoven's Seventh was at a benefit concert in Vienna for wounded soldiers and their families in December 1813. It came only two months after the Battle of Nations near Leipzig. The German name is "Völkerschlacht" (Slaughter of the Peoples), one of the most catastrophic wartime events in human history. It also marked liberation from Napoleon's forces. The sad, beautiful quality of the second movement makes it very different from the other three movements of Beethoven's Seventh. Endlessly mournful, but also uplifting, it is still played at funerals today.
But the dense juxtaposition of dignified funeral marches and movements full of exuberant joy in Beethoven's Seventh also caused alienation and even rejection among the composer's contemporaries. "He's ripe for the madhouse!" wrote composer Carl Maria von Weber. Weber had just heard a performance of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony with its rollicking fourth movement. It can be amusing to read how the first listeners reacted to a composition that is today a classic. Weber wasn't the only critical voice. Clara Schumann's father, Friedrich Wieck, thought that "this symphony – particularly the first and the last movements – could only have been written in a state of inebriation."
Fast-forward from then to now: Need a little lift? Then listen to the finale to Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A Major, opus 92, marked "Allegro con brio" (fast, with verve). The tempestuous interpretation by Bernard Haitink and the Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam was met with thundering applause and enthusiastic calls for an encore.
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All Comments (21)
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Here listening again and again the #7, just as I was a child. And now i am 80. Why? Because the music comes from the heavens. Regards from Costa Rica❤
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Tears of joy rolling down my cheeks I listen to this almost everyday and the feeling is same what a great performance by all the musicians and conductor ❤❤ O Beethoven you Beauty ❤️
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Second movement is the most beautiful music I've ever heard.
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No hay sinfonía mas sublime que la Séptima de Beethoven. Sus sinfonías nos hacen ver toda la trayectoria del Maestro, su tragedia, sus miedos, sus Iras, pero también sus alegrías, te hace entrar en su mente, y la Séptima es danza, rabia, lagrima y lucha...Hasta alcanzar su cúspide con la Novena... Beethoven eres Eterno....
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Classical music is the ony place where I can find real rest. Thank your for bringing it to us all.
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4:52 I vividly remember all these years later that I wept like a baby when I first heard this. Without me knowing, this was exactly what I needed to hear in that movement.
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I like that the camera is so much focused on Haitink himself in his conducting of this orchestra. It becomes a memory of the importance he had in classical music for so many years. Thank you, great master.
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This composition is astounding particularly when one considers that Beethoven composed this symphony when absolutely deaf. That can, as an understatement, only be genius. Bravo!
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This year, I heard no.7 symphony 3times. But this is undoutedly the best one. The ©️oncertgebouw orchertra and maestro Haitink are the one of the best in the current world.🎉❤
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...and then the 2nd movement hits, and I have to stop what I am doing and listen. Sorry, deadline. Beethoven is speaking.
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Bernard Haitink was one of the most beloved conductors in the last 50 years , he is sadly missed and was fantastic and loved by millions all over the world !!!!!
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I was so fortunate to see Maestro Haitink on numerous occasions. He was truly one of the great conductors. You never got the sense of ego from him; he was always serving the music first and foremost.
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I have no words to describe the joy this music brings to me. Beethoven, Conductor Haitink and the Royal Contertgebouw Orchestra are the best combination ever!
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Have been listening to this incredibly beautiful piece for nearly 60 years, and the allegretto bring me to tears EVERY TIME!!!
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Wunderschöne Aufführung dieser perfekt komponierten Sinfonie mit seidigen Tönen aller Streicher, milden Tönen aller Holzbläser und vor allem brillanten Tönen aller Blechbläser. Der zweite Satz klingt besonders schön und echt traurig. Im Kontrast klingt der dritte Satz echt lebhaft und auch begeisternd. Der intelligente und erfahrene Dirigent leitet das ausgezeichnete Orchester im relativ schnellen Tempo und mit effektiver Dynamik, als wäre es ein Teil seines Körpers. Wunderbar vom Anfang bis zum Ende!
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Beethoven had a direct telephone line with heaven. The fuge in the second movement is the essence of beauty exploding into magnificent aesthetics waves.
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One of the most wonderful pieces of music ever composed! ❤
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Bravo, Maestro Haitink and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra! I've been a bit obsessed with Beethoven's 7th for some time, and had the pleasure of attending the Ft. Worth Symphony Orchestra's performance of the 7th early this year. 2022 has been my personal "Year of Beethoven"; I've attended a number of concerts by both the FWSO and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and heard several Beethoven symphonies (including the symphony of symphonies, the 9th) and piano concertos. What a thrill it's been!! Though nothing beats a live performance, listening to/watching all the classical music on YTube is the next best thing. I'm grateful to all the musicians/orchestras and to YTube for providing such a rich diversity of music for us to enjoy 🥰🎵
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Haitink, the all time Maestro, unsurpassed, especially with this sort of repertoire, simply fantastic!
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Wonderful music in Concertgebouw with maestro Haitink! This is a fine example of the music Bernard Haitink has given to us listeners. Thank you for posting it.
