INTERMISSION

Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 97, “Rhenish”

I. Lebhaft

II. Scherzo: Sehr mäßig

III. Nicht schnell

IV. Feierlich

V. Lebhaft

Robert Schumann

Premiered June 1810, Beethoven’s Egmont consists of a set of ten pieces (including the Overture) for soprano, optional male narrator and orchestra. It is based on a 1787 play by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe which recounts the 16th century rebellion of Count Egmont against Spanish domination in the Netherland. Its subject being of particular relevance as the work was composed during the Napoleonic Wars.

The overture starts with strong chords and has an ominous quality that introduces the main theme. This is followed by the energetic exposition section in 3/4 time which depicts the fight of Count Egmont against the oppressors. After deviating to a minor key, followed by a recapitulation section, the work moves to the coda to portray victory. It grows from soft to loud, features a rumbling timpani and a triumphant fanfare in the brass finally ending in tonic chords. While the overture is programmatic, it can stand on its own. It even became the unofficial anthem of the 1956 Hungarian revolution.

Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 97, “Rhenish”

Schumann’s music can be characterized by introspectiveness, deep emotion, tumult and playfulness, all of which can be found in this work. His symphonies hearken to quintessential German Romanticism, yet honour German Classical form. He composed “Rhenish” in 1850, after becoming music director in Düsseldorf, a city along the Rhine River. With it, he wanted to capture the spirit of the German Rhineland, the area which borders France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. He had developed a true new style, full of contrapuntal, rhythmic and harmonic dissonances. Written in five movements, the work is tied together with intervallic mottos (perfect 4ths and major 6ths).

The First Movement, Lebhaft, has a rousing primary theme and is followed by a more lyrical second theme introduced by the woodwinds. The Second Movement is a folkish Ländler set as a triple time Scherzo & Trio, ending with delightful harmonic crunches. The Third Movement is gentle and calm, evoking perhaps the beautiful Rhine countryside. Feierlich (Solemnly), the Fourth Movement, is an iconic part of this symphony. In the autograph manuscript,