Advertisement
Listening To Beethoven's 'Eroica' As A New President Takes Office
Resume![German composer Ludwig Van Beethoven, depicted in an original painting by Steiler. (Rischgitz/Getty Images)](https://wordpress.wbur.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/0102_beethoven-1000x895.jpg)
Beethoven began writing his third symphony, the "Eroica," when he was inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte, then a hero of the French Revolution.
But by the time the symphony was finished, the composer dedicated it "to the memory of a great man," even though Napoleon was still alive.
Classical music writer Fran Hoepfner (@franhoepfner) joins Here & Now's Robin Young to explain what was revolutionary about Beethoven's "Eroica."
This segment aired on January 3, 2017.