Beethoven drew inspiration from nature for his Sixth Symphony, the Pastoral, a work that evokes birdsong, the gentle flow of a stream and the drama of a storm. The Seventh Symphony, by contrast, is driven by rhythmic energy, which runs through all four movements and reaches particular intensity in the finale. Written just a few years apart, the two works offer contrasting approaches to symphonic music.
The Staatskapelle Dresden, conducted by Daniele Gatti, performs both works at the Palau de la Música Catalana as part of the series devoted to Beethoven’s nine symphonies. The programme also includes the premiere of a composition by Riccardo Panfili.
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In the Pastoral Symphony, Beethoven wrote the names of three birds in the score: nightingale, quail and cuckoo. The flute, oboe and clarinets imitate their calls.
Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony premiered in Vienna in 1813 at a benefit concert for soldiers wounded in the Napoleonic Wars. It was one of his greatest public successes, and the work had to be repeated several times.
