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Masur Conducts Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major

DW staf (bo/kjb)September 12, 2008

The composer Richard Wagner called Beethoven's Seventh Symphony "the apotheosis of the dance." Indeed, the work is one of the composer's most optimistic pieces.

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Kurt Masur and bust of Wilhelm Furtwaengler
Masur is seen next to a bust of German conductor Wilhelm Furtwaengler (1886-1954)Image: Barbara Frommann / Beethovenfest

Nevertheless, it was written during one of the most difficult periods in Beethoven’s life. The Seventh Symphony was premiered in 1813, when the composer’s health and hearing were in decline. He would become completely deaf by 1814.

Performing is the Orchestre National de France, conducted by the legendary Kurt Masur. This concert was part of a series where the complete nine symphonies of Beethoven were presented as part of the 2008 Beethoven Festival in Bonn.

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Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, performed by Kurt Masur and the Orchestre National de France (MP3 / 40:17)

1. September 201140:18 min
Der Dirigent Kurt Masur, aufgenommen am Dienstag (08.04.2008) während einer Probe in der Beethovenhalle in Bonn. Masur war viele Jahre Gewandhauskapellmeister in Leipzig. Von 1991 bis 2002 wirkte er zudem als Chefdirigent des New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Von 2000 bis 2007 war er Musikdirektor des London Philharmonic Orchestra. Seit 2002 hat Masur die musikalische Leitung des Orchestre National de France in Paris inne. Foto: Felix Heyder dpa/lnw +++(c) dpa - Report+++

Free Beethovenfest Podcasts and Downloads

Free Beethovenfest Podcasts and Downloads

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