Symphony no. 7 (A major) op. 92

Beethoven wrote '1812, August 13th' on the autograph of the Seventh Symphony, probably referring to its date of completion. He had worked on the composition during the previous year and in winter 1811-1812, mainly using the so-called Petter Sketchbook (now displayed at the Beethoven-Haus). Initially he planned to première the symphony in Graz at a charity concert for the Ursulines, organised by Joseph von Varena. This plan was never carried out. Instead, the piece was premièred at Vienna University on December 8, 1813, during a charity concert under Beethoven's direction. The programme also included the first performance of Wellington's Victory. At that time, Beethoven's public success was at its zenith. Despite his continuously deteriorating hearing (on the first page of the Petter Sketchbook he noted that cotton in his ears stopped the hissing sounds when he played the piano), the Seventh clearly expresses joy, happiness and a will to live. Music critic Theodor W. Adorno even called it 'the symphony par excellence'.

Quite similar was the review by a critic for the Wiener Allgemeine Zeitung: 'The classical nature of the symphonies by Mr. van Beethoven, the greatest instrumental composer of our times, is generally recognized. This new symphony brings no less admiration to its composer than the earlier ones, and it might be an advantage of the new one that its parts are so clear, its themes so pleasant and easy to understand, so that music lovers need not be connoisseurs to enjoy it and be enchanted by its beauty. A detailed analysis of the symphony would, despite its scope, never be sufficient to depict the whole picture for readers who did not hear the performance. To appreciate works of art, one must be present. Mr. van Beethoven did not define the character of this symphony as he did for other ones; but if we may do so in his stead and express our humble opinion, we may observe that its different parts appeal to us in a romantic rhythm of the melodies.' (J.R.)