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PROGRAM NOTES : FIRE

Overture from Die Geschöpfe Symphony No. 59, ‘Fire’
des Prometheus Franz Joseph Haydn
Ludwig van Beethoven (March 31, 1732 – 31 May 31, 1809)
(baptized December 17, 1770 – March 26, 1827)
Symphony No. 59, ‘Fire’ composition and premiere dates
Overture from Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus (The Crea- are uncertain, but it was likely composed around 1765
tures of Prometheus) Op. 43, composed between 1800 I. Presto
and 1801, premiered in 1801 II. Andante o più tosto Allegretto
Instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bas- III. Menuet e Trio
soons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani, and strings. IV. Finale: Allegro
Duration: 5 minutes Instrumentation: 2 oboes, 2 horns, continuo (bas-
soon, harpsichord) and strings.
The lone ballet in his output, Beethoven received this Duration: 21 minutes
commission early on in his tenure in Vienna. It was one of
the first works that grabbed the attention of the Viennese After struggling as a freelance musician in and around
public; he worked with noted choreographer and compos- Vienna, Haydn got a job as Kapellmeister for Count Karl
er Salvatore Viganò at the behest of Archduchess Maria Joseph of Morzin in 1759, his first secure gig as a musician
Theresa. While it was Beethoven’s first major commission and composer other than his childhood days as a chorister.
in Vienna, it would turn out to be one of Viganò’s last in the Haydn’s freelance work saw him gain increasing favor in
city, as he moved to Italy in 1804. aristocratic circles, which led directly to his appointment on
Though the original libretto and choreography are lost to Count Morzin’s court. Though this particular appointment
time, scholars have put together most of the plot through only lasted two years, Haydn was quickly employed by
other sources. The story is based on the Greek myth of Prince Paul II Anton Esterházy de Galántha, head of the
Prometheus, without the morbidity of the original story. extremely wealthy Esterházy family. It was here that Haydn
In this version, a bored Prometheus creates statues of spent most of his career leading the musical happenings
a man and woman, brings them to life, and then escorts in the various Esterházy palaces around Bohemia. He
them to Mount Parnassus to learn about art, science, composed, conducted the orchestra, led chamber music
and other distinctly human concepts. The original myth performances, and mounted operatic productions, all in
has Prometheus stealing fire from the Olympian gods exchange for an annual salary and free room and board.
and gifting it to mankind, after which he is punished for His service to the Esterházy family saw the creation of the
eternity, but Viganò appears to have felt that subject matter vast majority of Haydn’s enormous output as a composer,
inappropriate for the Viennese court, opting instead for an including tonight’s Symphony.
Enlightenment-influenced story. Despite its high catalog number, the Symphony No.
The full ballet rarely gets performed in modern times, but 59 is actually a relatively early work in Haydn’s oeuvre.
the overture stands alone as a concert work. Beethoven Given the sheer amount of music Haydn composed for
deploys intriguing harmonic maneuvers in the opening the Esterházys, and the isolation in which the works
that seem to mirror Prometheus’ defiance of the gods. The were created, we often don’t have a lot of detail as to the
main body of the music is joyous and triumphant, depicting circumstances, timing, and performance history of Haydn’s
the gratitude of the mortals for their lessons in humanity. compositions. Regardless, we can still marvel at both the
In this early orchestral work by Beethoven, we hear early music itself, and the great composer’s voluminous output
signs of what is to come for the great master’s music. It (104 symphonies?!).
is distinctly Classical in nature, replete with Beethoven’s The ‘Fire’ nickname for this particular symphony was not
signature command of contrast and form in a tight eight Haydn’s doing. Selections from the work were performed
minutes. as accompaniment for a play entitled Die Feuersbrunst
(literally The Conflagration), which subsequently attached
‘Feuer’ (German for fire) to the music. Setting aside those
Fun fact: circumstances, ‘Fire’ feels like an appropriate moniker for
Tonight’s piano soloist Joyce Yang this music, especially the spritely Presto first movement,
which shows Haydn’s penchant for dramatic contrasts
was last here at in his music making. An octave drop in the first theme
Sunriver Music Festival ignites the music, spreading around the ensemble until it
20 years ago immediately following quickly dissipates, only to launch onwards toward a second
theme. This exercise in contrast continues throughout the
her win at the Cliburn International movement, leading to consecutive minuet movements - the
Piano Competition! second is slower and more stately, while the third takes on
a more traditional minuet-trio dance-like tune. The finale

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