Hollywood Bowl Presented by LA Phil
The composer of the most popular symphony ever written (his Fifth), five of the world’s favorite piano concertos, and an entire extraordinary universe of chamber music (including 16 string quartets, as well as piano trios, violin sonatas, and cello sonatas) and piano music (especially his 32 sonatas), also wrote some of the most dramatic music ever intended for the stage. Much of this was so-called “incidental” music, conceived to accompany spoken dramas. In some sense, this kind of music can be seen as the forerunner of today’s film scores.
Sometimes it would serve as an interlude between scenes; sometimes it would accompany a dramatic scene, or illustrate some sort of offstage action. In most cases, the production would begin with an introductory movement intended to establish a mood or set the scene for the drama itself. The parallel with modern-day terminology would be the “main title” music heard as the opening credits appear.
In the case of Beethoven’s music for Goethe’s Egmont (1809-1810), the whole story (which tells of a struggle to save the Netherlands from domination by Spain in the late 16th century) is evoked in vivid orchestral terms in the Overture. The composer, who was inspired to create some of his greatest music on the subject of tyranny and the fight for freedom from oppression, produced a compelling summary of the elements of the play to follow: heroism, love, struggle, and victory are clearly evident as the music progresses.
— Dennis Bade