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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.

https://p.dw.com/p/FFQP
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.