"Wellington's Victory or the Battle of Vittoria" op. 91
Listening samples
Dedication
Composition
August to October 1813 (version for Panharmonikon), October to December 1813 (version for orchestra)
On 21 June 1813 the troops of Sir Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, defeated those of French field-marshal Jean-Baptiste Count Jourdan and King Joseph of Spain, Napoleon's older brother, on the plains of Vittoria. The news of the victory reached Vienna on 27 July, when Beethoven happened to be in the city (he spent the rest of the summer in Baden).
Johann Nepomuk Mälzel, an inventor and musical mechanic who was then a friend of Beethoven (he built ear-trumpets for the composer), lit on the idea of turning the French defeat into a composition. He convinced Beethoven to write a victory symphony for his mechanical orchestra, the 'Panharmonikon'. Mälzel probably noticed the wide musical scope of Beethoven's piece when he transferred it to the machine's barrel. Thus, the composition was far too long for a mechanical orchestra with automated barrels. He suggested that Beethoven adapt the piece for full orchestra, adding battle music and an introduction.
By modern standards Wellington's Victory is not one of Beethoven's masterpieces, being far too trivial. In 1813-14, however, it was in line with the prevailing taste and tradition and proved a great success for Beethoven and Mälzel. Together with the Seventh Symphony, it was premièred on 8 and 12 December 1813 at a charity concert for disabled soldiers.
But success also led to problems: Beethoven and Mälzel entered a copyright dispute because both wanted to market the highly popular piece. When Mälzel travelled to England and took the score with him, Beethoven initiated legal action (unsuccessfully) and published an appeal in London newspapers, calling himself the rightful owner. It took several years before the two men settled their dispute. (J.R.)
Johann Nepomuk Mälzel, an inventor and musical mechanic who was then a friend of Beethoven (he built ear-trumpets for the composer), lit on the idea of turning the French defeat into a composition. He convinced Beethoven to write a victory symphony for his mechanical orchestra, the 'Panharmonikon'. Mälzel probably noticed the wide musical scope of Beethoven's piece when he transferred it to the machine's barrel. Thus, the composition was far too long for a mechanical orchestra with automated barrels. He suggested that Beethoven adapt the piece for full orchestra, adding battle music and an introduction.
By modern standards Wellington's Victory is not one of Beethoven's masterpieces, being far too trivial. In 1813-14, however, it was in line with the prevailing taste and tradition and proved a great success for Beethoven and Mälzel. Together with the Seventh Symphony, it was premièred on 8 and 12 December 1813 at a charity concert for disabled soldiers.
But success also led to problems: Beethoven and Mälzel entered a copyright dispute because both wanted to market the highly popular piece. When Mälzel travelled to England and took the score with him, Beethoven initiated legal action (unsuccessfully) and published an appeal in London newspapers, calling himself the rightful owner. It took several years before the two men settled their dispute. (J.R.)
