Madeleine

**Composer:** Ludwig van Beethoven

**Title of piece:** Symphony No. 7

**Performed by:** The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey Conductor Robert W. Butts May 2, 2010

**Musical Time Period:** Baroque

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**About the piece:** ‍Ludwig van Beethoven's **Symphony No. 7 in A major**, in 1811, was the seventh of his nine symphonies. Beethoven's seventh symphony is in four movements: Performance time lasts approximately 37 minutes. It was completed in 1812, and was dedicated to Count Moritz von Fries. At its debut, Beethoven was noted as remarking that it was one of his best works. The second movement //Allegretto// was the most popular movement and had to be encored. The instant popularity of the //Allegretto// resulted in its frequent performance separate from the complete symphony. The symphony is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in A, 2 bassoons, 2 horns in A (E and D in the inner movements), 2 trumpets in D, timpani, and __strings__.
 * I. Poco sustenuto - Vivace
 * II. Allegretto
 * III. Presto - Assai meno presto (trio)
 * IV. Allegro con brio

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Ludwig van Beethoven** (baptized 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">About the Composer: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of the Holy Roman Empire, Beethoven moved to Vienna in his early 20s, studying with Joseph Haydn and quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. His hearing began to deteriorate in his late twenties, yet he continued to compose, conduct, and perform, even after becoming completely deaf. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Between 1798 and 1802 Beethoven tackled what he considered the pinnacles of composition: the string quartet and the symphony. With the composition of his first six string quartets between 1798 and 1800, and their publication in 1801, along with premieres of the First and Second Symphonies in 1800 and 1802, Beethoven was justifiably considered one of the most important of a generation of young composers following Haydn and Mozart. He continued to write in other forms, turning out widely known piano sonatas (like the "Pathétique" sonata). He also completed his __Septet__ in 1799, which was one of his most popular works during his lifetime.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">I chose this piece because its a very fast-paced and upbeat song <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">(for example, the second movement in A minor has a tempo marking of //Allegretto// ("a little lively"), making it slow only in comparison to the other three movements) <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">. Also, Beethoven and his symphonies are extremely well known all over the world. Although it's quite long, Symphony No. 7 is a exciting and complex song!
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Analysis: **


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Other Works by Beethoven: **

Symphony No. 1 Symphony No. 2 Symphony No. 3 Symphony No. 4 Symphony No. 5 Symphony No. 6 Symphony No. 8 Symphony No. 9 ..and many more!