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Egmont Overture (tr McLain)

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Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (trans. Douglas McLain)


General Info

Year: 1810 / 2015
Duration: c. 9:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Baton Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - €142.00   |   Score Only (print) - €26.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
Solo B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani

Cello


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This overture clearly represents Beethoven as a political liberal and a champion of the oppressed. Based on a tragedy by Goethe, Beethoven's work is intended as incidental music for the play which was produced in Vienna in 1810. The plot relates to the Dutch patriot Count Egmont, one of the leaders of the revolt against the tyrannical Duke of Alva, who is sent to suppress the budding succession of the Netherlands from Spain. Egmont is treacherously seized and condemned to public execution. Asleep in prison, he dreams of the goddess of liberty, whose face is that of his beloved Clarchen. She tells him that in dying he will secure the eventual victory of his people and be hailed as a conqueror. He awakens, the soldiers enter, and they lead him to the scaffold. His last words are "Fight for your hearth and homes, and die joyfully -- after my example -- to save that which you hold most dear."

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


The opening chords of the overture have been interpreted to represent the weight of Spanish oppression. The main section of the work describes the rapidly developing rebellion, and the close of the work proclaims victory for the forces of freedom.

- Program Note from Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


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Resources