Symphony in E flat major - E.T.A. Hoffmann

Concerto Bamberg conducted by Rolf Beck.

I - Adagio e maestoso - Allegro: 0:00
II - Andante con moto: 7:37
III - Menuetto: 14:21
IV - Finale. Allegro molto: 17:18

Hoffman's Symphony was apparently written in 1804 in Ploczk, as we don't have clear composition dates. It was premiered in Warsaw in 1806, conducted by Hoffmann himself to consecrate the new building of the "Academy of Music" he himself had founded. It seems that the work did not achieve a great success, because the newspapers of the time do not talk about it. That same year, on November 28, Napoleon Bonaparte's troops captured Warsaw, and Hoffmann lost his job as a bureaucrat, having to travel to Berlin.

The work is heavily influenced by both Mozart and Haydn, as Hoffmann himself had previously noted in his diary on 8 October 1803 ("Haydn shall be my master"). Mozart's influence can be perceived if we compare it with his Symphony No.39, written in the same tonality, and the opera "Don Giovanni". But Haydn's influence is greatly: as the work’s formal design is very similar to Haydn's "London Symphonies", its handling of orchestration and its dense motivic workmanship.

The first movement is structured in sonata form. It opens with a majestic slow introduction, hinting the materials that will be soon presented. The main theme is rhythmic and vivacious, while still being elegant and gracile. The lyrical second theme is presented by the clarinet and then taken by the strings. The development is brief, employing counterpoint elaborations, modulations and thematic transformation. The themes are then recapitulated. An elegant coda ends the movement.

The second movement is structured in ternary form. It begins with the strings presenting a Mozartian, widely lyrical main theme, ornamented by the woods. The music becomes more expressive and heartfelt as it goes on. The middle section opens with a darker variation of the theme, offering some contrast. The main theme is then recapitulated in its original form. A peaceful coda ends the movement.

The third movement is an unusual menuetto in ternary form. It opens with a dramatic and expressive menuetto in C minor as the main theme, presented in canon by the strings. The trio is the same theme but in a major mode introduced by the woods also in canon. This is unusual because trios usually offer a new theme or some lyrical contrast. The menuetto is then recapitulated in its original form, leading to a firm coda.

The fourth movement is structured in sonata form. It opens with a majestic but rhythmic Haydnesque main theme, with a heavy use of counterpoint. The more melodic second theme is derived from the work's introduction, making it partially a cyclical work. The development also makes great use of counterpoint, showing that despite being not as reputed as his peers, Hoffmann lacked no technical skill. The main themes are recapitulated as usual. A graceful coda based on the main theme concludes the work.

Picture: Lithography of E.T.A. Hoffmann from an undated self-portrait.

[Pietro]

As if it wasn't enough to write masterpieces of literature. What a charming music!

[davidrehak]

Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann:Esz-dúr Szimfónia
1.Adagio e maestoso - Allegro 00:00
2.Andante con moto 07:37
3.Menuetto 14:21
4.Finálé:Allegro molto 17:18
Concerto Bamberg
Vezényel:Rolf Beck