Beethoven is best known today for his symphonies, piano sonatas, and string quartets. As a composer for the stage, his reputation is limited; yet he did have an interest during his lifetime in opera, ballet, and incidental music. In the concert hall, his efforts in these genres are represented primarily by the overtures associated with them. For instance, his opera, Fidelio, in addition to enjoying its position in the operatic repertoire, has contributed four overtures to the symphonic literature: the one known by the same name as the opera and the Leonore overtures #1 - #3. Of all Beethoven's overtures, the best known and most frequently performed is probably the one from his incidental music to Goethe's tragic play, Egmont.
The title character is the leader of the 16th-century revolt of the Netherlands against Spain's rule. Goethe portrayed Egmont as impetuous and driven; Beethoven identified easily with these qualities as well as with the general revolu- tionary spirit of the story. In the end, Egmont is executed, but the revolt is ultimately successful. The overture begins with a long, isolated single tone, perhaps the tolling of a giant bell. The introduction suggests a serious pro- cession, but its cold, unchanging rhythms are contrasted by poignant lyricism in the woodwinds and (later) the violins. A melodic fragment makes its way to the cellos and then propels the music into the agitated main section, where even the more lyrical moments have a sense of great urgency. At times, the rhythm from the introduction returns in a much faster form, but it is hardly recognizable, having been transformed from a solemn processional to a bizarre, frenzied call to arms. Toward the end, the violins gruesomely depict Egmont's beheading; the woodwinds respond with a somber, yet brief, funeral prayer. But the triumph of the revolution is already inevitable, and the woodwinds have barely had time to pay their respects before Egmont's forces come charging through, leading in the orchestra to a fanfare in the horns and trumpets.