Contrary to the common belief that the Romantic genius is inevitably misunderstood by those around him, the premiere of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony in 1813 was a remarkable success. By then, the German composer had already achieved fame and become one of the most respected composers of his time, especially in the field of instrumental music, as Rossini was beginning to conquer opera houses across Europe.
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Between 1805 and 1809, the city of Vienna was under occupation. It was only in 1813 that the Austrians could breathe a sigh of relief after Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat at the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig and the Battle of Hanau, which occurred two weeks later, on October 30. Although the latter did not result in the complete destruction of the French troops, it effectively marked a retreat. The following year, allied forces entered Paris, and Napoleon sought refuge on the Italian island of Elba. With those years of suffering behind them, the bravery of the Austrian troops was enthusiastically celebrated.
Seizing the opportunity, Johann Mälzel—the man mistakenly credited with inventing the metronome—proposed a benefit concert to Beethoven as a tribute to the families of soldiers who had lost their lives. The concert took place a few weeks later, on December 8, at the University of Vienna, with an orchestra assembled ad hoc. It included some of the city’s most prestigious musicians, such as Giacomo Meyerbeer, Antonio Salieri, and Louis Spohr. Despite evident hearing impairments, the musical direction was entrusted to Beethoven himself, which today allows us to sense the reverence both the audience and his peers had for him.
Among the works performed, it was Wellington’s Victory that received the loudest applause. However, the premiere of the Seventh Symphony—although composed a year earlier—also won the hearts of the audience. The rhythmic vigor and festive spirit of the score perfectly suited the occasion. The mournful cadence of the second movement was equally well received, prompting calls for an encore. Due to the event’s success, the same program was repeated a few days later, and the symphony was performed multiple times in the following weeks. In February 1814, it was joined by the Eighth Symphony, which had also awaited its premiere since the previous summer. Both were eventually published together at the end of 1816.