Richard Tognetti and the ACO perform the first three symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven. Thrilling live performances of Beethoven’s effervescent Symphony No.1 and spirited Symphony No.2 open the album, paving the way for the magnificent ‘Eroica’ Symphony.

This beloved masterpiece rises beyond its initial dedication to Napoleon Bonaparte – the leader who had risen from nothing to conquer the world and, so Beethoven believed, liberate humanity – to encompass heroism, disillusion and grandeur. From its bold opening chords, we hear in the Eroica Symphony Beethoven’s vision of what a hero could be, victorious in battle but also triumphing over his own human limitations to unite all humanity under the banner of freedom.

When Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France, Beethoven, disgusted and furious that his idol had turned out to be a tyrant after all, tore up the title page of the symphony and threw it away. But the music and its vision remain as fresh as the day it was written.

For this recording, made live in concert in 2020 shortly before Covid lockdowns, the core musicians of the ACO are joined by string players from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and wind and brass players hand-picked from leading European orchestras.

> Stream & buy full album: https://snd.click/Beethoven123

> Download the digital booklet: https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/aco-beethoven-123-booklet.pdf

TRACKLIST
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN 1770–1827
1-4. Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21 [24’44]
I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
II. Andante cantabile con moto
III. Menuetto (Allegro molto e vivace)
IV. Finale (Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace)

5-8. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36 [30’59]
I. Adagio - Allegro con brio
II. Larghetto
III. Scherzo (Allegro)
IV. Allegro molto

9-12. Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 'Eroica' [46’17]
I. Allegro con brio
II. Marcia funebre (Adagio assai)
III. Scherzo (Allegro vivace) 5’40
IV. Finale (Allegro molto)

ARTISTS
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Richard Tognetti Director and Violin

ALBUM INFO
Release date: 10 November 2023
Label: ABC Classic
Catalogue number: ABCL0077