Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55

“Eroica”180450 min

This guide follows Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 “Eroica” (1804) in four parts: Allegro con brio (sonata form), Marcia funebre: Adagio assai (ternary form), Scherzo: Allegro vivace (minuet and trio) and Finale: Allegro molto (theme and variations).

Recording: Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan

· Royal College of Music →

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Analysis Comments

I · Sonata form
II : assai · Ternary form
III: · Minuet and trio
IV: molto · Theme and variations

I Sonata form1:01–15:31

in E-flat major, in 3/4. Two loud chords start the with no , and the cellos present the at once; a C-sharp soon brings harmonic tension. The of themes (the ) follows the . The is large and introduces a new in E minor. Just before the a horn enters a few early, which Ries remembered as an apparent error. The brings back the new .

:

II : assaiTernary form15:50–31:46

III: Minuet and trio32:24–38:25

IV: moltoTheme and variations38:29–50:47

Section boundaries in music are not always sharp; a transition may be felt over a pause or a held chord.

At a glance

I. Allegro con brioSonata form · 14 min · 691 bars · quarter note ≈ 148 bpm
II. Marcia funebre: Adagio assaiTernary form · 16 min · 247 bars · eighth note ≈ 62 bpm
III. Scherzo: Allegro vivaceMinuet and trio · 6 min · 504 bars
IV. Finale: Allegro moltoTheme and variations · 12 min · 505 bars

Instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Timpani, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double bass

Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55, I. Allegro con brio: first page of the score — Full score

Questions

How long is Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55?: About 50 min in this recording, in 4 movements: I 14 min, II 16 min, III 6 min and IV 12 min.
What form are its movements in?: I: sonata form, II: ternary form, III: minuet and trio and IV: theme and variations.
Which instruments play in Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55?: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Timpani, Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello and Double bass.
How fast is it played?: In this recording, measured from the score: I quarter note ≈ 148 bpm and II eighth note ≈ 62 bpm.
Is there a score of Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55?: Yes, of I and II.

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More in sonata form

BachTrio Sonata No. 1 in E-flat major, BWV 5251730

HaydnSymphony No. 1 in D major, Hob. I:11759

HaydnHorn Concerto in D major, Hob. VIId:31762

HaydnPiano Sonata in A-flat major, Hob. XVI:461770

HaydnPiano Sonata in C minor, Hob. XVI:201771

HaydnString Quartet in A major, Op. 20 No. 61772

HaydnString Quartet in C major, Op. 20 No. 21772

HaydnString Quartet in D major, Op. 20 No. 41772

HaydnString Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 20 No. 11772

HaydnString Quartet in F minor, Op. 20 No. 51772

In listening paths

Path 05

Understanding sonata form

The form behind most first movements, heard twelve times, from a small sonata to a symphony.

Mozart → Haydn → Beethoven → Schubert → Mendelssohn → Brahms → Prokofiev

12 works · 4 h 43 min

Path 10

Beethoven's nine symphonies

From the First of 1800 to the Choral of 1824, in the order Beethoven wrote them.

Beethoven

9 works · 5 h 26 min

In the catalog

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphonies Classical period E-flat major Sonata form Ternary form Minuet and trio Theme and variations