DLVIII. BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van: Coriolan Overture, Op. 62

DLVIII. BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van (1770-1827)

Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 (1807)
Radio Frankfurt Symphony Orchestra
Philippe Herreweghe, cond.
(9:34)

If you care anything about Beethoven and have not seen the fine BBC production Eroica, click on that link and watch it (in HD)!

In the film, one sees the absolute respect and admiration that Prince Franz Joseph von Lobkowitz (played beautifully by Jack Davenport) had for Beethoven. Lobkowitz might have been the composer's most faithful patron, as he opened his rooms for many premieres.

In this case, this amazing overture was first played at the Prince's home along with the Fourth Symphony and the Fourth Piano Concerto! What a concert!

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Beethoven's source is not Shakespeare, but Heinrich Joseph von Collin's 1804 tragedy.

The main C Minor theme represents the hero's resolve and military prowess (he is about to invade Rome), and the tender E-Flat Major theme represents his mother's pleas to stop. He is torn between the two decisions, and kills himself (or -- as in the Shakespeare -- is murdered). The fate of the real-life Gaius Marcius Coriolanus is unknown.

Note Beethoven's use of empty bars, increasing the dramatic tension:

Compare this section with a similar one in the Fifth Symphony:

The death of the hero is depicted in a delicate morendo: