Itzhak Perlman: Beethoven - Egmont Overture, Op. 84

At the Mann Auditorium, Tel Aviv, 2010
Conductor - Itzhak Perlman
Violin - Giora Schmidt
Cello - Zuill Bailey
Piano - Navah Perlman
Israel Philarmonic Orchestra

Ludwig van Beethoven - Egmont Overture, Op. 84

Ludwig van Beethoven was contracted in 1809 to compose the music to Goethe's Egmont by the Burgtheater in Vienna. After the piece was first performed, Beethoven sent an extract to the famous poet, who was reportedly very impressed by the music. Goethe's tragedy describes the story of the Earl Egmont, who led the uprising of the Netherlanders against the ruling Spanish in Brussels in the sixteenth century. He failed in his intentions and was condemned to death. The entire Overture is written in the sombre key of F minor, which is often used to display pain and suffering in music. In the slow prelude the funeral march of the opressed resounds, following which Beethoven dynamically and energetically portrays tha main theme of the young Earl Egmont. The gentle secondary subject of the piece reflects Egmont's love for his beloved Klärchen. The overture ends with the sound of his fanfare, triumphant and full of expectation. Although the stage music was very popular in its day, and indeed the piece was also arranged fot the concert-hall, nowadays the Overture is rarely performed.

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