Buzz
Though my knowledge of musical theory and composition could be summed up in a single fingernail's worth, I still find myself completely captivated by these extraordinary works. Below is a collection of 10 intriguing stories that explore the origins or first performances of some of the most celebrated pieces in classical music. Enjoy! (Note: If the resident classical expert Flamehorse disagrees with any of these, I would defer to his expertise.)
10. Schubert’s Incomplete Symphony
Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 (sometimes referred to as No. 7) is, in fact, unfinished. Typically, a symphony consists of four movements; Schubert completed two, but left the project incomplete for reasons that remain unclear. Nevertheless, he did sketch out a third movement. Numerous composers have since 'finished' the symphony based on this sketch and their interpretation of the initial two movements. Still, Symphony No. 8 remains fundamentally unfinished.
9. Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9
This iconic symphony is often referred to as 'From the New World' or simply 'New World' because the renowned Czech composer from Bohemia, Antonín Dvořák, composed it in 1893 while residing in America. However, the title can be somewhat misleading, as it is not solely an American symphony. Though inspired by Native American and African American musical themes, the work also carries significant influences from Dvořák’s homeland of Bohemia. Leonard Bernstein aptly described the 9th Symphony as 'multinational.'
8. Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man
During World War II, the conductor of the Cincinnati Orchestra asked Aaron Copland to compose a fanfare to be used at the start of concerts. Initially, the conductor suggested a tribute to the common soldier, inspired by similar works created by English composers during World War I. However, Copland chose to honor the Four Freedoms (freedom from fear, want, religion, and speech & expression) instead. Eventually, he settled on a salute to the common man. At the conductor’s request, the fanfare premiered during the 1943 tax season. Copland later incorporated the Fanfare into the fourth movement of his Third Symphony. This familiar Fanfare is often heard at rock concerts, the Olympics, and political events.
7. Mendelssohn’s Wedding March
It may be surprising to think that well-known tunes like 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' and 'Happy Birthday' were once composed. The same goes for the iconic 'wha-wha-waaaah' played on the trumpet. This is also the case for Felix Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, which was part of his incidental music for Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Today, the march is famously played at weddings, marking the newlywed couple's exit from the ceremony.
6. Handel’s Water Music & Royal Fireworks Suites
Georg Friedrich Handel composed three magnificent suites for King George I of England, accompanying him and his companions on their journey along the Thames River. Premiering in 1717, the compositions were so well received by the king that he requested the 50 musicians to perform them continuously for hours. (That had to be quite a lengthy session!) Thirty years later, Handel wrote the Royal Fireworks Suite at the request of the court of George II, to celebrate the unpopular treaty that concluded the War of Spanish Succession. Ironically, during the first performance of the Fireworks Suite, the elaborate stage meant for the event caught fire.
5. Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony
Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony, also known as the Eroica Symphony (which means 'heroic' in Italian, not 'erotic'), was originally a tribute to Napoleon, whom Beethoven greatly admired. However, when Napoleon declared himself emperor in 1804, Beethoven was enraged, calling him a tyrant. In protest, Beethoven ripped out the title page of the score, which had originally dedicated the symphony to Napoleon. The Eroica marked the moment when Beethoven’s compositional genius reached its peak.
4. Mozart’s Requiem
If you trust the portrayal in the 1984 film 'Amadeus,' you might believe that Mozart’s rival, Salieri, schemed to murder Mozart while also aiding him in composing the Requiem, all while Mozart was on his deathbed. However, the reality is a bit different, and the notion of Salieri’s plot is pure fiction. In fact, Mozart is said to have only completed the first movement before his death, with the remaining sections finished by others. The extent of Mozart’s actual contribution before his passing continues to be a topic of debate.
3. Liszt’s Les Preludes
I was initially taken aback when I first discovered a piece of trivia about Franz Liszt’s symphonic poem, Les Preludes, since it is one of my all-time favorites. Unfortunately, during the 1940s, the Nazis used parts of this piece as the official theme for their German Weekly Newsreel service. Just picture the chilling irony of hearing Les Preludes blaring as footage of Luftwaffe Stukas bombing Soviet cities and troops played on screen, akin to how Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries was used in the helicopter assault scene in 'Apocalypse Now.'
2. Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring
Anyone with even a basic familiarity with classical music will know this one: Igor Stravinsky’s ballet, 'The Rite of Spring,' depicting pagan rituals of spring, sounded so strange and looked so bizarre to early 1900s audiences that it sparked a riot during its first performance. Tensions were heightened by the animosity between Stravinsky and his choreographer. The combination of unconventional dance moves, odd costumes, and complex music left some audience members disgruntled, leading to an all-out riot where even musicians were attacked. Next time you hear about chaos at a rock or rap concert, just think of that moment in history.
1. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
Beethoven, known for his incredible compositions, continued to create music even after he lost his hearing. In fact, during the creation of some of his later works, he would literally press his ear to the piano, feeling the vibrations as he played. When he debuted his legendary 9th Symphony, Beethoven conducted it without hearing a single note himself. His deafness, combined with the 12-year gap since his last public performance, led to an erratic conducting style that did not quite match the orchestra. One member of the orchestra had to physically rotate him so he could see the audience's rapturous applause.
