The Eroica Symphony

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, nicknamed “Eroica” – Heroic – is a large, fascinating listening adventure. The surprises come one after the next: Beethoven developed the opening theme in a way that had never been done before.  

The symphony was originally composed in honour of Napoleon Bonaparte, but when Napoleon declared himself emperor, Beethoven is said to have proclaimed: “Now he will also trample all human rights underfoot and only promote his own interests; he will put himself before others and be a tyrant!”

Beethoven was a friend of France and his antipathy for Napoleon evidently lessened later on. In a biography on the French emperor, Beethoven said, “Before, I couldn’t stand him. I now have a completely different perception.”

The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra is led by Latvian Aivis Greters, who is assistant conductor at GöteborgsOperan and Orchestre de Paris. The concert opens with Unsuk Chin’s subito con forza – a brief and colourful celebration of  Beethoven, written for the Beethoven year 2020. South Korean Unsuk Chin was at the centre of Konserthuset’s international Composer Festival in 2013.